H2 Inhalation for Parkinson’s: Pilot StudyScientific Research


original title: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of hydrogen inhalation for Parkinson’s disease: a pilot study

DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05489-4

Published on: 2021


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Abstract:

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent studies have confirmed that molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as a highly effective antioxidant in animal models of PD. A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical pilot study was conducted to assess the efficacy of hydrogen gas inhalation in Japanese patients with PD on treatment with levodopa.

Methods: Twenty participants fulfilling the Movement Disorder Society criteria were enrolled. Participants inhaled 6.5 (0.1) vol% hydrogen gas in 2 L/min of mixed air or placebo air for 16 weeks, twice a day for 1 h.

Results: Five participants were excluded due to deviation from the protocol of the total duration of inhalation 0.05). No adverse events were seen. The compliance to the protocol-based duration of inhalation time in all participants decreased with the elderly participants, the higher daily dose of levodopa, and the higher PDQ-39 items on emotions (n = 20, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This pilot study revealed that the inhalation of molecular hydrogen gas was safe, but did not show any beneficial effects in patients with PD. Trial registration: UMIN ID: 000,039,217 (October 6, 2018).

Authors:

Asako Yoritaka, Nobutaka Hattori, Shinji Saiki, Tetsuo Hayashi, Yasuko Kobayashi