Academia and industry join forces
to safeguard the healthy development of hydrogen–oxygen medicine
—The “Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine, Scientific Application” Expert Media Symposium Held in Beijing
Hydrogen–oxygen medicine is an emerging discipline that has attracted increasing attention from medical experts at home and abroad in recent years, particularly for its positive role as an adjuvant therapy during the fight against COVID-19. Against the backdrop of continuously rising incidence and mortality of chronic diseases, coupled with an increasingly younger trend, what insights does the rapid development of hydrogen–oxygen medicine offer for achieving population-wide health? What development prospects does it hold?
As hydrogen–oxygen experience centers emerge across the country, while promoting hydrogen–oxygen medicine and “hydrogen–oxygen therapy,” what areas still require regulation and clarification? With the growing penetration of hydrogen–oxygen respiratory devices, how can consumers sharpen their judgment and choose the right equipment in a dazzling market, so as to inhale pure hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas to safeguard their health?
Medical experts and corporate representatives attend the “Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine, Scientific Application” expert media symposium
On October 11, the People’s Daily Health Client hosted the “Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine, Scientific Application” expert media symposium, bringing together academic experts to discuss and exchange views on the wide range of applications of hydrogen–oxygen medicine, a cutting-edge technology, in the healthcare field.
Academician Zhong Nanshan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor Li Jian’an, Chairman of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, participated in the symposium online via video. Professor Li Ning, Vice President of the Beijing Doctors Association and former President of Beijing You’an Hospital; Professor Cheng Youqin, Secretary-General of the Hydrogen Molecular Biomedicine Branch of the China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics and former Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Division, Clinical Department of the South Building of the PLA General Hospital; Professor Xie Keliang, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Deputy Director of the Tianjin Institute of Anesthesiology; Professor Lv Youyong, Director of the Molecular Oncology Research Office at Peking University Cancer Hospital and Beijing Institute for Cancer Research; as well as corporate representative Lin Hsin-Yung, founder of Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Technology Co., Ltd., attended the symposium. Media representatives from Xinhua News Agency, Science and Technology Daily, People’s Daily Online, Guangming Online, China.com.cn, China Family News, and others participated in the event and reported on it.
Corporate representative Lin Hsin-Yung, founder of Asclepius Meditec, shared the company’s 12-year development journey and exploration achievements in the hydrogen–oxygen generator field
Expert Roundtable | A Comprehensive Interpretation of the Advantages and Prospects of Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine
In recent years, hydrogen has been confirmed in clinical medicine to have strong biological effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions, and an increasing number of international studies have been published on hydrogen’s role in health and disease treatment. Among more than 2,500 published papers, 156 are human studies, some of which are rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted in accordance with evidence-based medicine principles; the diseases studied using RCTs include acute infectious diseases such as COVID-19, with a greater focus on chronic non-communicable diseases, such as COPD and treatment of acute asthma exacerbations. In particular, with respect to papers on inhalation of hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas, 97 have been published to date, 90 of which were jointly published by China’s Asclepius Meditec company in collaboration with domestic experts and scholars, accounting for over 90% of the total, demonstrating China’s leading position in this field in terms of timing, volume, and indications studied.
As early as 2014, Academician Zhong Nanshan led his team in conducting adjuvant therapy studies of hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas for airway stenosis, bronchial asthma, and acute exacerbations of COPD; experimental results have shown that hydrogen–oxygen inhalation inhibits the development of smoking-induced COPD in mice, has therapeutic effects on asthma, significantly improves dyspnea in patients with airway stenosis, and markedly shortens the disease course during acute COPD exacerbations. Multicenter clinical studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic also demonstrated that, under hydrogen–oxygen support, COVID-19 patients experienced significant reductions in cough and shortness of breath, with improved oxygen saturation.
Regarding device selection during hydrogen–oxygen therapy, Academician Zhong Nanshan emphasized adherence to two key conditions: first, hydrogen purity—hydrogen produced by unapproved imitation devices not authorized by the National Medical Products Administration is non-medical hydrogen and may generate toxic impurities during production, which, when inhaled together with hydrogen, may cause toxic effects in the human body. Therefore, hydrogen generators categorized as household appliances must never be used for human medical treatment. Second, devices approved by the drug regulatory authority as Class III medical devices must be selected. Because hydrogen is flammable and explosive, hydrogen–oxygen generators must be managed in accordance with high-risk device standards; only hydrogen–oxygen generators that meet Class III medical device safety regulations and electromagnetic compatibility standards, namely EMC standards, can be used safely.
Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital Zhongshan Rehabilitation Branch establishes a hydrogen–oxygen medicine treatment center; pictured are Professor Li Jian’an (second from left), Chairman of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Lin Hsin-Yung (second from right), founder of Asclepius Meditec, attending the inauguration ceremony
Professor Li Jian’an, Chairman of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, delivered a video presentation titled “Applications of Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine in Neurological and Motor Rehabilitation.” He stated that although hydrogen–oxygen research in medicine is still at an initial or exploratory stage, recent explorations have shown promising trends. Based on various attempts he and his team have made in recent years, hydrogen–oxygen medicine has demonstrated positive effects in patients with coma and disorders of consciousness, shown beneficial effects in improving sleep quality, and may also provide positive benefits for patients with chronic diseases—particularly those with declining cardiopulmonary function—as well as for people working at high altitude or in hypoxic environments. Current studies on inhalation of hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas in middle- and long-distance runners have also yielded positive results in enhancing endurance and cardiopulmonary capacity.
Professor Li Ning, Vice President of the Beijing Doctors Association and former President of Beijing You’an Hospital, stated that clinical observations have found hydrogen–oxygen therapy to show positive effects in treating COVID-19 patients, particularly in reducing the incidence of severe disease and lowering long-term adverse outcomes, offering new therapeutic perspectives to the medical community; its potential applications in other disease areas are therefore worthy of further exploration.
Professor Xie Keliang, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, has been studying the selective antioxidant effects of hydrogen and its organ-protective roles since 2007. In 2015, his research found that hydrogen not only exerts selective antioxidant effects but also activates endogenous antioxidant and protective systems. Clinically, hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas therapy has been used to treat multiple conditions, including respiratory failure, COVID-19, and neuropathic pain, helping to prevent disease progression from mild to severe or even critical stages.
Professor Cheng Youqin, Secretary-General of the Hydrogen Molecular Biomedicine Branch of the China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics and former Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Division of the South Building Clinical Department of the PLA General Hospital, stated that based on clinical research, several key conclusions can be drawn regarding the medical role of hydrogen: first, the discovery of hydrogen’s biomedical effects is one of the major medical discoveries of this century; second, hydrogen is the only biologically active gas discovered to date that is non-toxic; third, hydrogen can reduce oxidative stress and excessive inflammatory responses in the body, promote intracellular metabolic balance, and represents etiological rather than symptomatic treatment for humans; fourth, hydrogen can assist in reducing the “three highs,” providing an important multi-disease prevention and co-treatment approach for chronic disease management. In 2020, the National Medical Products Administration approved hydrogen–oxygen inhalation devices as Class III medical devices, and in 2022 approved hydrogen–oxygen generators for household use, a move that may become an important new medical approach for chronic disease prevention and control in China.
“The goal of cancer prevention and treatment lies in reducing incidence and improving the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches.” Professor Lv Youyong, Director of the Molecular Oncology Research Office at the Beijing Institute for Cancer Research, stated that toxic side effects in cancer treatment are often associated with inflammation, and the anti-inflammatory properties of hydrogen may help mitigate the toxic side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, in tissue repair and regeneration, hydrogen may be used in combination with immune cells to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Corporate Responsibility | Taking the Lead in Achieving Scientific Application Outcomes and Continuously Deepening Services
With the deepening of hydrogen–oxygen medicine research and the gradual expansion of clinical applications, the value of integrating hydrogen rehabilitation therapy into broader disease treatment fields continues to emerge; meanwhile, advancements in hydrogen–oxygen technologies have also driven innovation in related medical devices and products.
As a representative from the application side, Lin Hsin-Yung, founder of Shanghai Asclepius Meditec Co., Ltd. (Asclepius Meditec), briefly reviewed the company’s more than 12 years of exploration in this field during his speech. On the one hand, he led the corporate team to devote substantial effort to theoretical research in hydrogen–oxygen medicine, collaborating with domestic medical experts to carry out over 300 basic research projects and clinical studies. On the other hand, the company has focused on the research, development, and manufacture of medical devices that enable the safe inhalation of hydrogen for human use. A growing body of accumulated evidence indicates that hydrogen–oxygen mixed inhalation therapy exerts positive effects in the prevention and treatment of multiple diseases.
Huimei hydrogen–oxygen generators have been widely used in clinical treatment at multiple top-tier hospitals across China
The Asclepius Meditec hydrogen–oxygen generator launched by the company is currently the only Class III medical device approved by the National Medical Products Administration in China, meaning it must pass more than 400 tests, including toxicology, biocompatibility, and electromagnetic interference testing; in terms of electromagnetic interference resistance alone, its testing standards are far more stringent than those for a mobile phone. In 2017, among more than 200,000 medical devices, only a little over 200 were able to obtain national innovation project designation, and Asclepius Meditec’s R&D project was among them. As of September 2024, Asclepius Meditec hydrogen–oxygen generators have obtained more than 400 patents worldwide, over 70% of which are invention patents. The product received two approval numbers in 2020 and 2023, and related products have currently obtained national approval for seven clinical applications.
While actively exploring, the company also pays close attention to social needs and fulfills its social responsibilities at critical moments. As early as the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Asclepius Meditec responded proactively by donating 3,000 hydrogen–oxygen generators to Wuhan. Through meticulous clinical observation, it was found that the devices played positive roles in antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the incidence of severe cases, and lowering the occurrence of long-term adverse outcomes after recovery, commonly referred to as “long COVID sequelae.”
Asclepius Meditec showcased a series of hydrogen–oxygen generators at major exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo, China International Medical Equipment Fair, National Pharmaceutical Trade Fair, and Shenzhen Smart Elderly Care Expo, receiving widespread acclaim.
“From a global perspective, hydrogen–oxygen medicine is a non-pharmacological therapy based on natural methods—simply put, using water to treat disease—that is highly operable and safe.” Regarding the advantages and development prospects of hydrogen–oxygen generators, Lin Hsin-Yung expressed strong confidence, while also acknowledging that as a Class III medical device with extremely high testing standards, its cost has limited its entry into ordinary households.
To address this, after more than a decade of development and promotion, Asclepius Meditec has preliminarily explored an accessibility and payment model supported by commercial insurance. On June 1, 2023, Asclepius Meditec formally signed its first cooperation agreement with Ping An Insurance: for consumers without cancer prior to using the hydrogen–oxygen generator, if cancer still occurs after 3,000 hours of use, Ping An Insurance will cover 100% of the out-of-pocket treatment expenses, with a maximum coverage of RMB 500,000. In addition, a model has been launched whereby Ping An Insurance provides refunds if lung nodule intervention proves ineffective.
“How to help China’s elderly fall ill less often or not at all, and spend less when illness does occur, is a wish shared by the entire society. Our persistent efforts aim to integrate commercial insurance to alleviate pressure on the national medical insurance system. Our future focus is to further expand the introduction of commercial insurance, establish partnerships with multiple insurance companies, and realize ‘buy health, get insurance’ or ‘buy insurance, get health,’ meaning that consumers who purchase this device can enjoy corresponding insurance services, or those who purchase partner insurance products can use our devices free of charge.”
With regard to the company’s multi-dimensional exploration efforts, attending experts expressed affirmation and further emphasized that inhaling hydrogen alone or oxygen alone both have drawbacks, as excessive oxygen inhalation can cause toxicity and excessive hydrogen inhalation can lead to insufficient oxygen levels in the body; only inhalation of hydrogen–oxygen mixed gas at appropriate proportions can achieve more ideal health maintenance and adjuvant therapeutic effects.
At present, domestic academic circles are conducting a series of studies on the effects of hydrogen–oxygen therapy on cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and “three-high” conditions; the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine is also preparing to establish a “Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine Active Health Professional Committee” to promote academic exchange, conduct larger-scale clinical trials, advance primary public health services, and explore integration with commercial insurance to reduce patient burden, thereby further accelerating China’s new explorations in global life sciences. On the corporate side, under the leadership of the National Health Commission, Asclepius Meditec will next collaborate with top-tier hospitals nationwide to conduct a human clinical trial involving more than 60,000 participants, further contributing evidence and support for the clinical application of hydrogen–oxygen medicine. In the future, the development of hydrogen–oxygen medicine will undoubtedly play an even more prominent role in advancing medical science and medical technology in China and worldwide.
Beijing, Taikang Home · Yanyuan Establishes a Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine Center
Beijing, Taikang Home · Yanyuan Establishes a Hydrogen–Oxygen Medicine Center
Asclepius Meditec Guangzhou Flagship Store
—Originally published in Top China Semi-Monthly
2024 Issue No. 23
For more reading, subscriptions are welcome
Author: Staff Reporter Lv Yuehua
Editor: Li Peng
Reviewing Editor: Kamina
