Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 27, Issue 5, 2021

One of the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen (H2, hydrogen gas) is neuroprotection and prevention of neurological disorders. It is important and useful if taking H2 every day can prevent or ameliorate the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease, both lacking specific therapeutic drugs. There are several mechanisms of how H2 protects neuronal damage. Anti- Read More

This report reviews studies on the use of H2 in the ophthalmological field. In retinal diseases, particularly in a retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, effects of H2 are remarkable in reducing retinal tissue damage. H2 treatment of corneal damage caused by alkali or UVB suppressed scar formation. The most unique application of H2 in the ophthalmological field appears to be its use in phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Read More

Molecular hydrogen (H2) was long regarded as non-functional in mammalian cells. We overturned the concept by demonstrating that H2 exhibits antioxidant effects and protects cells against oxidative stress. Subsequently, it has been revealed that H2 has multiple functions in addition to antioxidant effects, including antiinflammatory, anti-allergic functions, and as cell death and autophagy regulation. Additionally, H2 stim Read More

There are many situations of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as radiation, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and inflammation. ROS contribute to and arises from numerous cellular pathologies, diseases, and aging. ROS can cause direct deleterious effects by damaging proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids as well as exert detrimental effects on several cell signaling pathways. However, ROS are im Read More

Aberrant redox-sensitive reactions and accumulation of oxidative damage can impair body functions and contribute to the development of various pathologies and aging. Although antioxidant substances have long been recognized as a measure of alleviating oxidative stress and restoring redox balance, the arsenal of effective means of preventing the development of various disorders, is still limited. There is an emerging field th Read More

Hydrogen therapy has recently received increasing attention as an emerging and promising therapeutic technology due to its selective antioxidant property and cell energy regulatory capability in vivo. To solve the low solubility issue of hydrogen, a variety of nanomaterials and devices for hydrogen supply have recently been developed, aiming to increase the concentration of hydrogen in the specific disease site and realize Read More

Background: Mounting evidence indicates that hydrogen gas (H2) is a versatile therapeutic agent, even at very low, non-combustible concentrations. The Chinese National Health and Medical Commission recently recommended the use of inhaled H2 in addition to O2 therapy in the treatment of COVID-19-associated pneumonia, and its effects extend to anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Summar Read More

Because multicellular organisms do not have hydrogenase, H2 has been considered to be biologically inactive in these species, and enterobacteria to be largely responsible for the oxidation of H2 taken into the body. However, we showed previously that inhalation of H2 markedly suppresses brain injury induced by focal ischemia-reperfusion by buffering oxidative stress. Although the reaction constant of H2 with hydroxyl radic Read More

Sepsis is the main cause of death in critically ill patients with no effective treatment. Sepsis is lifethreatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection. As a novel medical gas, molecular hydrogen (H2) has a therapeutic effect on many diseases, such as sepsis. H2 treatment exerts multiple biological effects, which can effectively improve multiple organ injuries caused by sepsis. However, Read More

Radiation-induced lung injury is characterized by an acute pneumonia phase followed by a fibrotic phase. At the time of irradiation, a rapid, short-lived burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH) occurs, but chronic radiation-induced lung injury may occur due to excess ROS such as H2O2, O2•−, ONOO−, and •OH. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is an efficient antioxidant that quickly diffuses cell membr Read More

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains to be a major cause of morbidity, mortality and severe neurodevelopmental disability in term neonates. Moderate whole body hypothermia is an established, effective neuroprotective therapy to reduce mortality and long-term disability associated with HIE, however, research for adjunct therapies is still warranted to complement the effect of hypothermia. In the last deca Read More

In 2007, Ohsawa and colleagues reported that molecular hydrogen (H2) gas significantly reduced the infarct volume size in a rat model of cerebral infarction, which was, at least, partially due to scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Since then, multiple studies have shown that H2 has not only anti-oxidative but also anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, which has ignited interest in the clinical use of H2 in diverse diseases. Read More

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Effective treatments are limited. Molecular hydrogen is emerging as a novel medical gas with therapeutic potential for various neurological diseases, including stroke. We reviewed the experimental and clinical findings of the effects of molecular hydrogen therapy in stroke patients and models. The underlying neuroprotective mechanisms against stroke pathology wer Read More

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Given our recent understanding of its role as a small-molecule antioxidant and anti- inflammatory agent, hydrogen may play an important role in preventing and treating atherosclerotic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. In the past decade, more than 50 publications in the English langua Read More

Background: Hydrogen gas (H2) has entered the world of experimental therapeutics approximately four and a half decades ago. Over the years, this simple molecule appears to drive more scientific attention, perhaps due to a dualism of H2 affirmative features demonstrated in numerous in vitro, animal and human studies on one side, and still puzzling mechanism(s) of its biological activity on the other. Up to this point, H2 wa Read More

Physical exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation may be beneficial when exercise is a regular activity, but it is rather harmful when exercise is exhaustive and performed by unaccustomed organisms. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has recently appeared as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule in numerous pathological conditions. However, its role is relatively unknown under physiological conditions s Read More

In today’s society, healthy skin and a beautiful appearance are considered the foundation of general well-being. The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays an important role in protecting it against various hazards such as environmental, physical, chemical, and biological hazards. These factors include mediators that lead to oxidation reactions that produce reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and additional oxidants in the s Read More

The emerging field of hydrogen biology has to date mainly been applied in medicine. However, hydrogen biology can also enable positive outcomes in agriculture. Agriculture faces significant challenges resulting from a growing population, climate change, natural disasters, environmental pollution, and food safety issues. In fact, hydrogen agriculture is a practical application of hydrogen biology, which may assist in addressi Read More