Molecular hydrogen as a new selective anti-oxidation therapeutic medical gas for clinical research

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2) is a colorless, odorless gas that can act as a reducing agent under certain circumstances. Previously considered physiologically an inert and nonfunctional molecule in mammalian cells, H2 largely went ignored until Nature Medicine revealed the antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of hydrogen gas in a focal stroke model. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is generated inside the body throughout our daily lives as a by-product of the energy metabolism by oxidative phosphorylation, which can cause biofilm system damage and intracellular oxidative phosphorylation disorders. H2 reacts with highly reactive oxidants such as hydroxyl radical (•OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) inside cells to improve ischemia reperfusion injury. In addition, hydrogen is a potent antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent and can be used for potential medical applications in cells, tissues and organs. As a new antioxidant, hydrogen has the advantages of non-toxicity, easy diffusion and selective neutralization. This review makes a case for supporting hydrogen as a new antioxidant medicine for clinical applications. We also hope to provide a reference for the further study of hydrogen to preserve blood cells in transfusion medicine.

Study details

Article type

Review

Disease / injury model

Oxidative stress-related diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, acute lung injury, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, transfusion medicine

Dose comparison

The article notes that hydrogen can be administered at different concentrations (e.g., inhaled at 2-3%, dissolved in water up to 0.8 mmol/L or 1.6 mg/L), and discusses the importance of dose control, especially with hydrogen-rich saline injections.

Dose-dependent effect

No

Outcome

Positive

Findings

The article reviews the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of molecular hydrogen (H2), highlighting its selective scavenging of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and its potential for clinical applications, including transfusion medicine. It summarizes evidence from animal and human studies supporting H2's efficacy in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue injury in various organ systems.