Glioblastoma is a form of brain cancer that remains challenging to treat. Standard treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, often face limitations, mainly due to the protective blood-brain barrier. This barrier prevents many medications and supplements from reaching brain tumors effectively (Chen et al., 2020). Molecular hydrogen therapy, however, shows unique potential as an additional supportive treatment due to its ability to cross this barrier.
What is Molecular Hydrogen Therapy?
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a very small molecule recognized for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which is cellular damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals (Rochette et al., 2023). Its small size allows it to easily penetrate the blood-brain barrier, making it especially useful for treating brain conditions like glioblastoma (Chen et al., 2020).
Why is Hydrogen Promising for Glioblastoma?
- Crosses the blood-brain barrier: Delivers antioxidant effects directly to brain tumors (Chen et al., 2020).
- Reduces tumor growth: Research indicates hydrogen can slow glioblastoma cell growth (Rochette et al., 2023).
- Reduces side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy: Hydrogen has shown potential to protect healthy cells from damage caused by these treatments, lowering side effects such as fatigue and tissue injury (Chen et al., 2020).
Additional Advantages of Hydrogen Therapy
- Supports post-operative recovery: Hydrogen inhalation may reduce brain swelling after surgery, leading to improved comfort and quicker recovery (Wu et al., 2024).
- Improves cognitive function: Hydrogen can enhance brain function and decrease fatigue by boosting energy (ATP) production in the brain’s mitochondria, potentially improving alertness and reducing tiredness (Chen et al., 2020).
- Hydrogen therapy also helps reduce side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as fatigue, cognitive decline, and tissue damage, by protecting cells from oxidative stress and inflammation (Chen et al., 2020; Rochette et al., 2023).
Figure 1. Effects of proton and H2 therapies on oxidative stress and inflammation in carcinogenesis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) via oxidative stress and inflammation promote carcinogenesis in cells. A crosstalk exists between oxidative stress and inflammation; this interconnection is associated with the activation of NRF2 and NF-κB. Glioblastomas (GBMs) are intrinsic brain tumors that are thought to arise from neuroglial stem or progenitor cells. GBM displays high intra-tumor heterogeneity and an infiltrative nature. Proton and H2 therapies decrease cell migration and proliferation, and induce apoptosis in GBM cells. H2 and proton have demonstrated preventive and therapeutic effects in gliomas running a new view for the treatment of these malignant brain tumors. (Rochette et al., 2023)
Hydrogen-Rich Water vs. Hydrogen Gas Inhalation
Both methods of delivering hydrogen therapy have distinct advantages:
- Hydrogen-rich water: Easy for daily consumption and convenient for ongoing use.
- Hydrogen gas inhalation: Delivers immediate, systemic benefits and has shown strong efficacy in research studies (Wu et al., 2024).
A combination of both methods might maximize therapeutic benefits by continuously supplying hydrogen to the brain and body, although more research is required to fully confirm this.
(Suggested illustration: Diagram showing hydrogen molecules crossing the blood-brain barrier, protecting brain cells.)
Reducing Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
Molecular hydrogen therapy can significantly reduce the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such as tissue damage and inflammation. Clinical studies have demonstrated that hydrogen therapy helps mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation, and fatigue caused by these treatments without compromising their effectiveness (Chen et al., 2020; Cole et al., 2021). Hydrogen may also prevent cognitive decline associated with these therapies, further enhancing patients' quality of life (Chen et al., 2020).
Safety of Molecular Hydrogen Therapy
Clinical studies confirm the safety of molecular hydrogen therapy:
- Hydrogen inhalation has shown no significant side effects even during prolonged usage (Cole et al., 2021).
- Hydrogen-rich water consumption is equally safe, posing no known health risks (Chen et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Molecular hydrogen therapy presents promising supportive care for glioblastoma patients. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and the side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy makes it uniquely beneficial. Additionally, hydrogen therapy potentially improves overall quality of life through increased cognitive function and reduced fatigue. Although further research is needed, current evidence strongly supports molecular hydrogen therapy as a safe and beneficial adjunctive treatment.
References
Chen, J., Mu, F., Lu, T., Ma, Y., Du, D., Xu, K., ... & Huang, X. (2020). A narrative review of hydrogen oncology: From real-world evidence to a hydrogen cancer center. Medical Gas Research, 10(3), 127-133.
Cole, A. R., Sperotto, F., DiNardo, J. A., Carlisle, S., Rivkin, M. J., Sleeper, L. A., & Kheir, J. N. (2021). Safety of prolonged inhalation of hydrogen gas in air in healthy adults. Critical Care Explorations, 3(10), e0543. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCE.0000000000000543
Rochette, L., Dogon, G., Zeller, M., Cottin, Y., & Vergely, C. (2023). Antitumoral activity of molecular hydrogen and proton in the treatment of glioblastoma: An atypical pharmacology? Brain Sciences, 13(8), 1168. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13081168
Wu, F., Liang, T., Liu, Y., Wang, C., Sun, Y., & Wang, B. (2024). Effects of perioperative hydrogen inhalation on brain edema and prognosis in patients with glioma: A single-center, randomized controlled study. Frontiers in Neurology, 15, 1413904. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1413904