Hydrogen gas alleviates oxygen toxicity by reducing hydroxyl radical levels in PC12 cells

Abstract

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy through breathing oxygen at the pressure of above 1 atmosphere absolute (ATA) is useful for varieties of clinical conditions, especially hypoxic-ischemic diseases. Because of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), breathing oxygen gas at high pressures can cause oxygen toxicity in the central nervous system, leading to multiple neurological dysfunction, which limits the use of HBO therapy. Studies have shown that Hydrogen gas (H2) can diminish oxidative stress and effectively reduce active ROS associated with diseases. However, the effect of H2 on ROS generated from HBO therapy remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of H2 on ROS during HBO therapy using PC12 cells. PC12 cells cultured in medium were exposed to oxygen gas or mixed oxygen gas and H2 at 1 ATA or 5 ATA. Cells viability and oxidation products and ROS were determined. The data showed that H2 promoted the cell viability and inhibited the damage in the cell and mitochondria membrane, reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation, and selectively decreased the levels of •OH but not disturbing the levels of O2•-, H2O2, or NO• in PC12 cells during HBO therapy. These results indicated that H2 effectively reduced •OH, protected cells against oxygen toxicity resulting from HBO therapy, and had no effect on other ROS. Our data supported that H2 could be potentially used as an antioxidant during HBO therapy.

Hydrogen Gas in Cancer Treatment

“…First, as shown in Ohsawa et al's study, hydrogen gas could selectively scavenge the most cytotoxic ROS, •OH, as tested in an acute rat model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (26). Another study also confirmed that hydrogen gas might reduce the oxygen toxicity resulted from hyperbaric oxygen via effectively reducing •OH (46).…”

A New Approach for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Molecular Hydrogen Significantly Reduces the Effects of Oxidative Stress

“…Hydrogen attenuates the oxidative damage between hydroxyl radicals and biologically essential molecules. By reducing the levels of oxidized macromolecules, mitochondrial and cellular injuries are greatly reduced [114]. Hydrogen has been shown to reduce hyperbaric oxygen-induced toxicity to PC12 cells, while also maintaining the antioxidant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase.…”

“…Hydrogen has been shown to reduce hyperbaric oxygen-induced toxicity to PC12 cells, while also maintaining the antioxidant levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. These all contribute to hydrogens ability to alleviate the detrimental effects of hyperbaric oxygen [114].…”

Electrolytically generated hydrogen warm water cleanses the keratin-plug-clogged hair-pores and promotes the capillary blood-streams, more markedly than normal warm water does

“…It is reported that hydrogen inhibited cellular damages through prevention of lipid peroxidation and DNA oxidation by selective-scavenging of hydroxyl radicals but not disturbing superoxide anion radicals, hydrogen peroxide, or nitric oxide in cells. 20 The production of malondialdehyde, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, is markedly reduced by hydrogen-rich saline in rat skin flap. 21 Our results suggest that hydrogen permeates deeply into skin and scavenges reactive oxygen species, resulting in inhibition lipid peroxidation in sebum-filled hair follicles ( Figure 7 ).…”