Molecular Hydrogen as a Neuroprotective Agent

Abstract

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation cause many neurological disorders. Recently, it has been reported that molecular hydrogen (H2) functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The routes of H2 administration in animal model and human clinical studies are roughly classified into three types, inhalation of H2 gas, drinking H2-dissolved water, and injection of H2-dissolved saline. This review discusses some of the remarkable progress that has been made in the research of H2 use for neurological disorders, such as cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and neonatal brain disorders. Although most neurological disorders are currently incurable, these studies suggest the clinical potential of H2 administration for their prevention, treatment, and mitigation. Several of the potential effectors of H2 will also be discussed, including cell signaling molecules and hormones that are responsible for preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. Nevertheless, further investigation will be required to determine the direct target molecule of H2.

Inhalation of hydrogen gas attenuates airway inflammation and oxidative stress in allergic asthmatic mice

“…Hydrogen is a colourless and odourless gas composed of the simplest molecule in the world. Molecular hydrogen functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent [ 18 ]. The routes of hydrogen gas administration in animal models and human clinical studies are roughly classified into three types: inhalation of hydrogen gas, drinking hydrogen dissolved in water and injection of hydrogen dissolved in saline [ 19 ].…”

Molecular hydrogen: a therapeutic antioxidant and beyond

“…H 2 concentrations in the tissues depend on the administered H 2 concentration and specific tissue H 2 uptake is related to the difference in administration route, indicating the importance to choosing most efficient delivery route and hydrogen dose for each disease or tissue (Liu et al, 2014). The therapeutic effect of molecular hydrogen H 2 has been demonstrated in the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, skin, eye, bone and reproduction system which have the underlying pathological conditions of ischemia-reperfusion injury (including organ transplantation) and the predominant oxidative stress-mediated diseases (Huang et al, 2010;Ohta, 2011Ohta, , 2015Ichihara et al, 2015;Nakata et al, 2015;Iketani and Ohsawa, 2016). In a comprehensive review in 2015, Ichihara et al have nicely summarized the biological benefit of molecular hydrogen in all organs covering 31 disease categories that can be subdivided into 166 disease models, human diseases, treatment-associated pathologies, and pathophysiological conditions of plants (Ichihara et al, 2015).…”

Administration of hydrogen-rich water prevents vascular aging of the aorta in LDL receptor-deficient mice

“…Molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) reduces highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) including the hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite, and functions as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent 12 . The routes of H 2 administration in animal models and human clinical studies are roughly classified into three types: inhalation of H 2 gas, drinking H 2 -rich water (HW), and injection of H 2 -dissolved saline 13 . Inhalation of H 2 gas ameliorates acute diseases such as ischemia-reperfusion injury and graft injury in several organs.…”