Hydrogen gas inhalation demonstrated safety and improved intestinal microbiota diversity in ulcerative colitis patients, with significant changes in β-diversity and functional gene expression. However, the study did not establish clear direct therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis symptoms, suggesting hydrogen inhalation may be most effective as an adjunctive therapy combined with other microbiome-targeted interventions such as fecal microbiota transplantation.
Plain-Language Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could help patients with ulcerative colitis (a chronic intestinal disease involving inflammation and dysbiosis, or imbalanced gut bacteria). Researchers had 10 patients with active ulcerative colitis inhale either hydrogen gas or placebo air for 4 hours daily for 8 weeks. The hydrogen group showed improved diversity of gut bacteria and changes in genetic function, with no safety concerns, but the treatment did not clearly reduce ulcerative colitis symptoms.
Abstract
Background/Objective: Dysbiosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Hydrogen has been reported to promote intestinal microbiota diversity and suppress ulcerative colitis progression in mice models. In this study, we investigated changes in the intestinal microbiota, therapeutic effects, and safety of hydrogen inhalation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 10 active patients with ulcerative colitis (aged ≥20 years; Lichtiger's clinical activity index, 3-10; and Mayo endoscopic subscores ≥1) participated, and they were assigned to either a hydrogen or air inhalation group (hydrogen and placebo groups, respectively). All patients inhaled gas for 4 h every day for 8 weeks. Subsequently, we performed clinical indices and microbiota analyses using the metagenomic sequencing of stool samples before and after inhalation. Results: There was significant difference in the sum of the Mayo endoscopic subscores before and after inhalation in the clinical assessment indices. The hydrogen group showed higher α-diversity (p = 0.19), and the variation in β-diversity was markedly different, compared to the placebo group, in intestinal microbiota analysis (p = 0.02). Functional gene analysis revealed 115 significant genetic changes in the hydrogen group following treatment. No inhalation-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions: Hydrogen inhalation appeared to improve intestinal microbiota diversity; however, no clear therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis was observed. Further studies are needed, and hydrogen inhalation may possibly lead to a logical solution combined with microbiome therapy, such as faecal microbiota transplantation, with fewer adverse events.
