Since the late 18th century, molecular hydrogen (H2) has been shown to be well tolerated, firstly in animals, and then in humans. However, although research into the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen in both plant and mammalian physiology is gaining momentum, the idea of utilising this electrochemically neutral and non-polar diatomic compound for the benefit of health has yet to be widely accepted by regulatory bodies worldwide. Due to the precise mechanisms of H2 activity being as yet undefined, the lack of primary target identification, coupled with difficulties regarding administration methods (e.g., dosage and dosage frequencies, long-term effects of treatment, and the patient’s innate antioxidant profile), there is a requirement for H2 research to evidence how it can reasonably and most effectively be incorporated into medical practice. This review collates and assesses the current information regarding the many routes of molecular hydrogen administration in animals and humans, whilst evaluating how targeted delivery methods could be integrated into a modern healthcare system.
Oxy-hydrogen gas (HHO) is a gaseous mixture of molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen that is generated by the electrolysis of water and delivered in a 2:1 ratio (66% and 33%, respectively) through the use of noninvasive inhalation devices such as nasal cannulas or nebulisers. Although there is a paucity of scientific evidence supporting this new and emerging therapy, initial investigations indicate that HHO proffers cytoprotective qualities, typically by reducing oxidative stress and attenuating the inflammatory response. These aspects are particularly favourable when considering respiratory medicine because underlying inflammation is known to drive the pathological progress of numerous respiratory conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and, pertinently, coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Direct delivery to the lung parenchyma is also likely to increase the effectiveness of this emerging medical therapy. This narrative review aims to delineate how this particular combination of gases can affect cellular processes at the molecular level by focussing on the evolutionary requirement for both oxygen and hydrogen. Furthermore, the authors assess the current available data for the safety and efficacy of HHO in a clinical setting.
Women account for half of the global population, yet, when applying of the principles of legislation to women's health and gender-based research there is a void pertaining to women-specific healthcare as they age. Hydrogen therapies such as oxy-hydrogen (HHO, H2/O2) inhalation act as a novel, non-toxic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, with clinical and empirical research confidently suggesting such therapies may be beneficial to human reproductive health. This aphoristic review highlights the need for medical evidence-based research into female-focused age conditioning and offers an explanation as to why HHO therapies may be effective in combatting menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms.
Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) that emerged as a novel pathogen of global concern in the latter stages of 2019. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which can be transmitted through aerosol droplets and surface-to-host contact. Both symptomology and the severity of disease can vary wildly between individuals, from asymptomatic but infectious, to those that require critical care. Due to the neoteric emergence of SARS-CoV-2, current treatment strategies are not yet well developed and rely on the repurposing of such medications as antiviral, corticosteroid, immunosuppressant and oxygen (O2) therapies. However, the minimal efficacy of these interventions is concerning. In addition to the acute infection that prevails, it is estimated that up to 30% of adults who contract COVID-19 develop chronic symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks. It is also estimated that 15% of children aged 2-16 years have developed long-lasting sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to recent clinical data, molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxy-hydrogen (H2/O2) therapies successfully remediated the debilitating effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. By acting as an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent, it is reported that H2 administration can improve recovery through abatement of the hyperinflammatory cytokine cascade and reduction of inhalation resistance in patients with mild-moderate disease symptoms. In this review, the authors investigate the clinical and empirical evidence relating to treating the symptoms of both acute and chronic COVID-19 with H2-containing therapeutics.
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