Efficacy and Safety of Hydrogen Therapy in Patients with Early-Stage Interstitial Lung Disease
Tang C et al. · Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2023;19:1051–1061.
Study at a glance
Human
Adults with early-stage interstitial lung disease
350 mL hydrogen-rich water twice daily · 1.6 ppm dissolved H₂.
48 weeks
The article reports more HRCT improvement and favorable CPI and DLCO-sb changes with H₂ water. FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC and TLC changes did not significantly differ; the primary endpoint was not significant in the full analysis set.
Single-center active-control trial without placebo water, 12 non-completers, imaging interpretation and mixed full-analysis/per-protocol findings. The water supplier provided H₂ water; public funding was reported.
What kind of evidence is this?
Human
Single-center randomized parallel-group active-controlled trial
Respiratory health
H₂-rich water
Information not yet classified
Some editorial classification fields are still pending. The source-reported outcomes and result are shown below; Hydrogenology does not infer a positive or negative signal from prose automatically.
Methods
Adults with early-stage interstitial lung disease
87 randomized: H₂ water n=44; N-acetylcysteine n=43; 75 completed
48 weeks
350 mL hydrogen-rich water twice daily
H₂ dissolved in water — H₂ only, not Brown’s gas and not inhalation.
1.6 ppm dissolved H₂.
N-acetylcysteine 600 mg orally three times daily
Outcomes and reported result
HRCT change, composite physiologic index, pulmonary-function measures and adverse events
The article reports more HRCT improvement and favorable CPI and DLCO-sb changes with H₂ water. FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC and TLC changes did not significantly differ; the primary endpoint was not significant in the full analysis set.
Dose, full methods, results, funding and conflicts checked in open-access full text; independent appraisal remains incomplete.
A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit.
Limitations and applicability
Single-center active-control trial without placebo water, 12 non-completers, imaging interpretation and mixed full-analysis/per-protocol findings. The water supplier provided H₂ water; public funding was reported.
Adults with early-stage ILD meeting the study criteria; not advanced fibrotic lung disease.
No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Read how records and evidence assessments are prepared.
Sources and record status
PMID: 38107500 · DOI: 10.2147/TCRM.S438044
Open-access full text is available through PMC and the publisher.
Open-access PMC and publisher full texts plus PubMed record.
10 August 2026
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