What is hydrogen therapy developed by Chinese researchers that could reverse ageing?

We might be able to turn back the clock soon. No, we are not hinting at rewinding the year but reversing ageing. A team of Chinese scientists has found a way to backpedal age-related changes in the body. According to the researchers, hydrogen therapy could also potentially prevent geriatric diseases like Alzheimer’s, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. What is hydrogen therapy? How have Chinese researchers used this method for reversing ageing? Let’s find out. Hydrogen therapy Hydrogen, the lightest and simplest chemical element, mostly exists as a molecular hydrogen gas or H2. In H2 therapy, hydrogen gas can be inhaled or hydrogen-dissolved water can be consumed. Other ways to take in hydrogen include by ingesting H2-dissolved saline, taking an H2 bath, or dropping H2-dissolved saline into the eyes, noted Science Direct.  In 2007, researchers Ikuroh Ohsawa and others in a paper laid out the health benefits of consuming molecular hydrogen or hydrogen gas. They said that giving hydrogen gas to rats suffering from stress had therapeutic effects as it relieved oxidative stress, reported The Irish Times. [caption id=“attachment_13504852” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Hydrogen, the lightest and simplest chemical element, mostly exists as a molecular hydrogen gas. Pixabay (Representational Image)[/caption] Studies have also shown that H2 indirectly regulates various gene expressions, thus functioning as an anti-inflammatory agent. Hydrogen is also known for its role in anti-ageing and helping in the treatment of several neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and cancer, according to National Library of Medicine. Chinese researchers big claim Chinese researchers have published a paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications and claimed they have have discovered a method to safely deliver a high concentration of hydrogen molecules over a long period of time to evoke a therapeutic effect. The scientists used nanotechnology to develop a scaffold implant that sends hydrogen with 40,000 times more efficacy than other methods, such as inhaling hydrogen gas, reported SCMP newspaper. According to the paper, the implant can deliver a slow and consistent release of hydrogen for about a week, much more than the hydrogen-rich water that has a limit of 30 minutes. ALSO READ: It’s Pawwsible! The miracle drug that could extend your dog’s life The study found that long-term treatment helped repair bone defects in older mice, according to the SCMP report. [caption id=“attachment_13504822” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] The scaffold was developed to repair bone defects in the elderly. Reuters (Representational Image)[/caption] This scaffold is made using products like metasilicate, calcium ions and hydrogen gas, the report added. Hydrogen is known for removing toxic particles linked to ageing. It also helps certain cells and tissues in the human body to continue to reproduce and grow. Corresponding author He Qianjun, from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, told SCMP the scaffold was designed to mend bone defects in the elderly, but could someday may be used for other age-related conditions and diseases, including Alzheimer’s. “We developed [the method] mainly based on our discovery of the broad-spectrum anti-ageing properties of hydrogen,” He said. The scaffold had “a significant effect in inducing bone growth compared to the blank scaffold that does not produce hydrogen,” the Hong Kong-based newspaper further quoted the author as saying. According to He, the hydrogen can “remodel” the senescence – the gradual deterioration with age – during the early stage of inflammation and have a “continuing effect on later bone repair”. The author told SCMP that their next challenge is to build a scaffold that will extend the time of hydrogen release. With inputs from agencies