Molecular hydrogen inhalation modulates resting metabolism in healthy females: findings from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study

Grepl, Pavel¹; Botek, Michal¹;Krejčí, Jakub^1,*; McKune, Andrew

¹Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic²Faculty of Health, UCResearch Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia³Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Initially, molecular hydrogen was considered a physiologically inert and non-functional gas. However, experimental and clinical studies have shown that molecular hydrogen has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and strong selective antioxidant effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 60 minutes of molecular hydrogen inhalation on respiratory gas analysis parameters using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. The study was conducted at Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc from September 2022 to March 2023. Twenty, physically active female participants aged 22.1 ± 1.6 years who inhaled either molecular hydrogen or ambient air through a nasal cannula (300 mL/min) for 60 minutes while resting were included in this study. Metabolic response was measured using indirect calorimetry. Breath-by-breath data were averaged over four 15-minute intervals. Compared with placebo (ambient air), molecular hydrogen inhalation significantly decreased respiratory exchange ratio and ventilation across all intervals. Furthermore, the change in respiratory exchange ratio was negatively correlated with body fat percentage from 30 minutes onwards. In conclusion, 60 minutes of resting molecular hydrogen inhalation significantly increased resting fat oxidation, as evidenced by decreased respiratory exchange ratio, particularly in individuals with higher body fat percentages.

最初，分子氢被认为是一种生理惰性且无功能作用的气体。然而，实验与临床研究表明，分子氢具有抗炎、抗凋亡及强效选择性抗氧化作用。本研究采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照、交叉实验设计，旨在评估60分钟分子氢吸入对呼吸气体分析参数的影响。研究于2022年9月至2023年3月在帕拉茨基大学奥洛穆茨体育学院进行，招募了20名身体活跃的女性受试者（年龄22.1±1.6岁）。受试者在静息状态下通过鼻导管（300 mL/min）吸入分子氢或环境空气60分钟，并采用间接测热法测量代谢反应。逐次呼吸数据按4个15分钟时段取平均值。

结果显示：与安慰剂（环境空气）相比，分子氢吸入在所有时段均显著降低呼吸交换比和通气量。此外，从30分钟开始，呼吸交换比的变化与体脂百分比呈负相关。结论表明，60分钟静息状态下的分子氢吸入能显著增强静息脂肪氧化（表现为呼吸交换比降低），这一效应在体脂百分比更高的个体中尤为明显。