Research progress on protective effect of hydrogen molecule and its products on lung transplantation

Ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation is the main cause of primary graft dysfunction, which will subsequently reduce the function of lung allograft and lower the overall survival rate of lung transplant recipients. As a physiological regulatory molecule, hydrogen molecule has the functions of anti-inflammation, easing oxidative stress, alleviating direct cell injury and mitigating epithelial edema. Recent studies have demonstrated that hydrogen molecule and its products (hydrogen and hydrogen-rich solution) could significantly mitigate ischemia-reperfusion injury and postoperative complications after lung transplantation. In this article, the protective effect and exact mechanism of hydrogen molecule and its products in lung transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide theoretical basis for the application of hydrogen molecule and its products as a novel treatment for lung transplantation-related complications, enhance the overall prognosis and improve the quality of life of lung transplant recipients