Hydrogen, a Novel Therapeutic Molecule, Regulates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a colorless and odorless gas. Studies have shown that H2 inhalation has the therapeutic effects in many animal studies and clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment guidelines in China recently. H2 has a relatively small molecular mass, which helps it quickly spread and penetrate cell membranes to exert a wide range of biological effects. It may play a role in the treatment and prevention of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, respiratory disease, ischemia reperfusion injury diseases, autoimmunity diseases, etc.. H2 is primarily administered via inhalation, drinking H2-rich water, or injection of H2 saline. It may participate in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (mitochondrial energy metabolism), immune system regulation, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis) through annihilating excess reactive oxygen species production and modulating nuclear transcription factor. However, the underlying mechanism of H2 has not yet been fully revealed. Owing to its safety and potential efficacy, H2 has a promising potential for clinical use against many diseases. This review will demonstrate the role of H2 in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and its underlying mechanism, particularly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing strategies for the medical application of H2 for various diseases.

Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies: Biological Effects, Countermeasures and Biodosimetry

“…The antioxidant advantages of H 2 gas include [ 317 , 318 ]: (a) selectively scavenging the deleterious ONOO- and •OH radicals, preserving other important ROS and NIS for normal signaling regulation, (b) stronger reductive activity than other dietetic antioxidants as C or E vitamins, (c) enhanced Nrf2 transcription and SOD, CAT and GPx expression [ 319 ] and (d) reduced NADPH oxidase activity [ 320 ]. In addition to reducing oxidative stress, H 2 increases the expression of antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-xL and Bcl-2) [ 321 ], which could be helpful to attenuate damage induced by IR.…”

Hydrogen Producing Photocatalyst at Sunscreen for Athletics in Preventing and Healing Muscle-Nerve-Skin Injuries

“…Generally, hydrogen can be administered in drinking water, 30 bathing water 44 oral or topical medicines, and 28 inhalations or injections of hydrogen saline. 2 This can reduce acute neuronal symptoms, soft tissue injuries or other diseases. Molecular hydrogen only up to 1.6 ppM (0.8mM) can be dissolved in water.…”

“…In future, the sunscreen should have multipurpose uses, besides protecting skin from sunlight, it should heal injuries and take care of wounded tissue, nerves, skin and some other problems. 2 We can design such multipurpose sunscreen by loading bio-friendly photocatalyst in a hydrogel (Figure 5). A person must breathe, bathe, drink, or consume saline as part of the traditional hydrogen administration strategy, but a sportsman cannot afford to do so while playing.…”

Molecular Hydrogen Neuroprotection in Post-Ischemic Neurodegeneration in the Form of Alzheimer’s Disease Proteinopathy: Underlying Mechanisms and Potential for Clinical Implementation—Fantasy or Reality?

“…The Chinese National Health and Medical Commission in 2020 recommended the use of inhaled hydrogen in addition to oxygen therapy for anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant treatments [ 29 ]. Hydrogen has been suggested as a new complementary therapy against stroke, which, e.g., reduces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis [ 22 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Despite many inaccuracies, the selective ability to scavenge free radicals and heal inflammation are still widely accepted mechanisms of the action of hydrogen [ 32 ].…”

“…Hydrogen has been suggested as a new complementary therapy against stroke, which, e.g., reduces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis [ 22 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Despite many inaccuracies, the selective ability to scavenge free radicals and heal inflammation are still widely accepted mechanisms of the action of hydrogen [ 32 ]. Clinical trials have shown that hydrogen treatment is safe and effective in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ 33 , 34 ].…”