Molecular mechanisms associated with effects of hydrogen molecule in liver diseases: the review of current evidence

Abstract

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the occurrence and progression of liver diseases, inducing hepatocyte apoptosis, fibrosis, and even cancer. However, there is a lack of effective therapeutic interventions to slow liver inflammation and the progression of metabolic liver diseases. The unique biological properties of molecular hydrogen’s selective scavenging of pathological free radicals have shown therapeutic potential in animal studies and clinical trials of chronic liver diseases. This review describes innovative technologies and applications of molecular hydrogen in the treatment of liver injury and liver metabolic diseases, focusing on its mechanisms of action in regulating redox and inflammatory cascade signal transduction and specifically discussing its potential for glucolipid metabolic homeostasis and intestinal microbiota remodeling, as well as cell protection. Future studies are needed to further identify the unknown mechanisms by which molecular hydrogen improves the beneficial role of the liver microenvironment and advance the clinical application of hydrogen therapy.

Study details

Article type

Review

Disease / injury model

Hepatic steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease (MASLD), viral hepatitis, liver ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), and liver damage or dysfunction

Outcome

Mixed

Findings

great potential in the treatment of liver inflammation and the progression of fatty metabolic liver disease. The biological significance of molecular hydrogen in the remodeling of glucose and lipid metabolism homeostasis, cell protection, and intestinal flora regulation is not clear. While initial results from clinical trials and studies are encouraging, further studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodology are needed to confirm these findings, particularly in viral hepatitis and liver cancer.