Clinical Applications

Written By Valerie Krossin

Research has identified molecular hydrogen as a promising therapeutic agent across a wide range of medical conditions. The following areas have the strongest body of published evidence:

Respiratory Conditions

H₂ has been studied extensively for acute lung injury (ALI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. In COPD models, hydrogen gas reduced lung function decline, emphysema, airway remodeling, and inflammatory cell infiltration. A clinical trial showed that inhaling 2.4% hydrogen for 45 minutes reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the peripheral blood of patients with asthma or COPD.

COVID-19 and Viral Pneumonia

China's National Health Commission included hydrogen-oxygen inhalation (66% H₂ / 33% O₂) in its official 7th edition clinical guidelines for COVID-19 pneumonia treatment. Statistical analysis showed that H₂/oxygen therapy raised blood oxygen saturation (SpO₂) and reduced hospital stays.

Neurological Protection

The landmark 2007 study by Ohsawa et al., published in Nature Medicine, showed that 2% H₂ gas inhalation significantly reduced brain damage from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Subsequent research has explored H₂'s potential in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cardiovascular Disease

H₂ inhalation has been approved in Japan under Advanced Medical Care B as an emergency intervention for patients in cardiopulmonary arrest (effective December 1, 2016). It has been shown to reduce myocardial injury markers including MPO activity and IL-1β/TNF-α levels.

Cancer Support

Studies in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer showed that H₂ inhalation improved T-cell function, reducing exhausted and senescent cytotoxic T cells while increasing natural killer (NK) cell populations. H₂ has also shown promise in promoting cancer cell apoptosis while protecting healthy tissue.

Sepsis and Critical Illness

Multiple studies show H₂ reduces organ damage from sepsis-induced inflammatory cascades, restores mitochondrial structure and function, and significantly improves survival rates in sepsis models.

Valerie Krossin

As a nurse and educator with over 16 years of experience in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM), I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this innovative therapy on pain, healing and sports recovery and performance enhancement. As the Educational Director and Senior Account Manager for industry leaders ASPEN Laser and TheraLight, I have been instrumental in forming strategic alliances with health professionals, businesses, individuals and professional and collegiate teams.

PBM harnesses the power of specific wavelengths of light, particularly in the red and near-infrared spectrum, to stimulate cellular processes such as ATP production, enhance mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and modulate biological responses like gene expression and ion channel activity. These benefits make near-infrared light a versatile tool in PBM, with applications ranging from athlete recovery and performance improvement and pain management to potential treatments for complex neurological conditions.

My unique perspective, combining over two decades of nursing experience with expertise in cutting-edge PBM technology, has allowed me to bridge the gap between clinical practice and sports medicine. This is evident in my recent work, including an abstract accepted by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) for E-Poster Presentation on Transcranial PBM for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

As the field of PBM continues to evolve, I remain committed to advancing its science and application in sports medicine. We are opening new frontiers in athletic performance and recovery, providing athletes with safe, effective, and non-invasive methods to optimize their potential.

https://www.photobiomodulation.expert
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