Mitochondria: one of the vital hubs for molecular hydrogen’s biological functions

Abstract

As a novel antioxidant, a growing body of studies has documented the diverse biological effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) in a wide range of organisms, spanning animals, plants, and microorganisms. Although several possible mechanisms have been proposed, they cannot fully explain the extensive biological effects of H2. Mitochondria, known for ATP production, also play crucial roles in diverse cellular functions, including Ca2+ signaling, regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, proliferation, and lipid transport, while their dysfunction is implicated in a broad spectrum of diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, metabolic disorders, and cancer. This review aims to 1) summarize the experimental evidence on the impact of H2 on mitochondrial function; 2) provide an overview of the mitochondrial pathways underlying the biological effects of H2, and 3) discuss H2 metabolism in eukaryotic organisms and its relationship with mitochondria. Moreover, based on previous findings, this review proposes that H2 may regulate mitochondrial quality control through diverse pathways in response to varying degrees of mitochondrial damage. By combining the existing research evidence with an evolutionary perspective, this review emphasizes the potential hydrogenase activity in mitochondria of higher plants and animals. Finally, this review also addresses potential issues in the current mechanistic study and offers insights into future research directions, aiming to provide a reference for future studies on the mechanisms underlying the action of H2.

Effect of Orally Ingested Water Containing H₂-Filled Ultrafine Bubbles (UFBs) on Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

“…Similarly, there were no differences between the groups in terms of the quantitative measurement of the liver ATP levels (data not shown). In many cases, the treatment of stressinduced groups with hydrogen enhances ATP production 26) ; however, this phenomenon was not observed in the present study. This indicates that the induction of oxidative stress in this study (via the ingestion of ethanol 0.6 mg/kg/d for two weeks) did not cause effects strong enough to impair mitochondrial ATP production, the oxidative phosphorylation process.…”

Enhancing antioxidant levels and mitochondrial function in porcine oocyte maturation and embryonic development through notoginsenoside R1 supplementation

“…Mitochondria play a pivotal role in energy provision during maturation and subsequent development, as well as in various cellular functions, including Ca 2+ signalling, ROS production regulation, apoptosis, proliferation and lipid transport (Zhang et al, 2023).…”

The Conjugate of Rhein–Artesunate for Inducing Immunogenic Cell Death to Prepare Cancer Vaccine and Suppress Tumor Growth

“…Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular homeostasis and function as the powerhouse of the cell, involved in metabolism and signal transduction [16,17]. Studies have shown that mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) interact through mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) to maintain cellular balance [18,19].…”