Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions worldwide, gradually reducing kidney function and quality of life. In advanced cases, renal function declines to the point where dialysis or transplant becomes necessary.

While conventional treatments like medication, lifestyle changes, and dialysis remain essential, new complementary therapies are gaining attention.

One such approach is molecular hydrogen therapy — the use of hydrogen (H₂) as a therapeutic medical gas to counter oxidative stress and inflammation (7).

Research suggests it may benefit various kidney diseases, from acute kidney injury to diabetic kidney disease, and offer potential preventive and therapeutic effects. This article explores the science, benefits, and safety.

• Hydrogen therapy may help CKD patients by reducing oxidative stress and chronic inflammation [1](5).

• Delivery methods include drinking hydrogen water, hydrogen gas inhalation, hydrogen-rich saline solution, and hydrogen dissolved hemodialysis fluid (3, 7).

• Studies suggest benefits for hemodialysis patients, mitochondrial protection, and reduced dialysis-related fatigue (3, 11).

• Generally safe, but CKD patients should manage fluid intake and select quality devices (7).

• More prospective observational study data is needed before becoming a standard human disease treatment (3).

CKD progresses through five stages, with stage 5 requiring dialysis or transplant (2). Common causes include diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis.

Key factors in progression:

• Excessive oxidative stress — accumulation of cytotoxic oxygen radicals and hydrogen peroxide damages renal tubular epithelial cells, causing renal fibrosis and worsening serum creatinine levels (9).

• Inflammatory responses — chronic immune activation accelerates injury (10).

Enhanced oxidative stress increases with CKD progression as a significant risk factor, and oxidative stress stimulation can worsen kidneys and promote renal damage.

Moreover, dialysis removes antioxidant substances, contributing to hemodialysis-induced oxidative stress in patients undergoing dialysis treatment.

Hydrogen therapy involves treatment employing molecular hydrogen through:

• Drinking hydrogen-rich water or tablet forms.

• Inhalation-based molecular hydrogen therapy.

• Hydrogen-rich saline solution infusions.

• Hydrogen is dissolved in hemodialysis fluid during dialysis for patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Hydrogen acts by selectively scavenging hydroxyl radicals and neutralizing hydrogen peroxide, functioning as a widely applicable antioxidant therapy that possesses chemical antioxidant capabilities without interfering with standard antioxidant mechanisms (5).

Potential underlying mechanisms include:

• Decreased oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (7).

• Hydrogen attenuated the inflammation response in kidney tissue (1).

• Protection of mitochondrial function in renal tubular epithelial cells (11).

• Support for vascular health in patients with severe cardiovascular disease and other cardiovascular diseases (3).

Animal studies, including those on spontaneously hypertensive rats, show reduced cellular stress and better outcomes in acute renal injury, renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and acute renal failure. Hydrogen may also help in kidney transplantation recovery.

Animal Studies

• In anti-cancer drug cisplatin models, hydrogen-rich saline solution reduced renal injury, oxidative damage, and improved survival (8).

• Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury models showed that hydrogen lowered fibrosis, reduced serum creatinine levels, and preserved function (11).

Human Studies

• A prospective observational study in chronic dialysis patients using drinking hydrogen-rich water improved blood urea nitrogen, oxidative stress, and lipid and glucose metabolism (3).

• Hemodialysis patients receiving hydrogen-dissolved hemodialysis fluid had reduced oxidative stress stimulation and vascular damage (3).

• Pilot studies found less dialysis-related fatigue and a significant reduction in inflammation in patients undergoing hemodialysis (4).

Hydrogen therapy's biological effects include:

1. Decreased oxidative stress and improved serum creatinine levels (5).
   
   
2. Reduced inflammation in patients undergoing dialysis treatment (1).
   
   
3. Better tolerance to dialysis and lowered hemodialysis-induced oxidative stress (3).
   
   
4. Preservation of mitochondrial function and resistance to cellular stress (11).
   
   
5. Potential neuroprotection in blood-brain barrier impairment cases (7).

Hydrogen therapy is generally safe (7), even in severe cardiovascular disease. Considerations:

• Monitor fluid intake for dialysis patients.

• Use certified devices.

• Remember that some oxidative stress stimulation is necessary for normal immune function.

Hydrogen therapy may integrate with:

• Human disease treatment protocols include antihypertensive therapy.

• Dialysis using hydrogen-dissolved hemodialysis fluid.

• Recovery support post-kidney transplantation.

More data is needed from:

• Prospective observational study follow-ups.

• Trials in diabetic kidney disease and acute renal failure.

• Long-term evaluations of preventive and therapeutic effects in high-risk cardiovascular diseases.

• Select a delivery method suited to your needs — inhalation, oral, or dialysis integration.
• Track serum creatinine levels and blood urea nitrogen.
• Ensure products are certified and clinically tested.

Hydrogen therapy could offer preventive and therapeutic effects in CKD and related conditions by reducing excessive oxidative stress and inflammation.

From drinking hydrogen-rich water at home to hydrogen-dissolved hemodialysis fluid during dialysis, it holds promise for improving outcomes in both chronic and acute kidney disorders.

Suppose you or a loved one is living with CKD and wants to explore safe, research-backed ways to support kidney health.

In that case, The H2 Therapy offers high-quality hydrogen water and inhalation systems designed to meet therapeutic standards.

You can register for a free trial here.

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.