Molecular hydrogen: a therapeutic antioxidant and beyond

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2) medicine research has flourished since a landmark publication in Nature Medicine that revealed the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of hydrogen gas in a focal stroke model. Emerging evidence has consistently demonstrated that molecular hydrogen is a promising therapeutic option for a variety of diseases and the underlying comprehensive mechanisms is beyond pure hydroxyl radicals scavenging. The non-toxicity at high concentrations and rapid cellular diffusion features of molecular hydrogen ensure the feasibility and readiness of its clinical translation to human patients.

Study details

Article type

Review

Disease / injury model

Multiple disease models (ischemia-reperfusion injury, metabolic syndrome, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)

Dose comparison

The article notes that tissue H2 concentrations depend on administered concentration and route, and highlights the importance of choosing the most efficient delivery route and hydrogen dose for each disease or tissue. It also mentions dose-dependent benefits observed in preclinical studies.

Dose-dependent effect

No

Outcome

Mixed

Findings

This review identifies molecular hydrogen as a promising therapeutic antioxidant with pleiotropic effects including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and cytoprotection, with demonstrated safety and potential for clinical translation in a wide variety of diseases.