Biology:Hydrogen therapy
Hydrogen therapy is the use of molecular hydrogen (H2) for therapeutic purposes. H2 has therapeutic benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects,[1] as well as due to its role as an inducer of gene expression.[2]
H2 is not cytotoxic or explosive below 4% concentration.[3] H2 can rapidly cross cell membranes, including mitochondrial and nuclear membranes, as well as the blood–brain barrier.[2]
H2 directly neutralizes hydroxyl radicals (•HO) and directly scavenges peroxynitrite (ONOO−).[3] H2 accumulates more in the lipid phase of cells and tissues than in the aqueous phase, where it can suppress lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fats.[3]
H2 indirectly induces expression of antioxidant enzymes by activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor.[2]
In a rat model of ischemia and reperfusion, inhalation of H2-gas markedly suppressed brain injury.[4]
Clinical trials in human patients
In patients with metabolic syndrome, H2 was shown to protect against low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, stimulated cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells, and protected endothelial cells from apoptosis.[2] Lipid and glucose metabolism was significantly improved in patients with type 2 diabetes administered hydrogen-rich saline.[3]
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis given H2-water for four weeks showed significant improvement of symptoms.[2]
Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) administered 2.4% H2-containing steam showed significant reduced inflammation in the airways.[3]
In a randomized clinical trial in which healthy adults drank H2-rich water for four weeks, subjects showed reduction of DNA damage and reduced markers of inflammation, but only in those over 30 years of age.[5]
Clinical trials have shown the benefit of hydrogen therapy for traumatic brain injury, mild cognitive impairment, and symptom relief as well as neuronal improvement in patients with Alzheimer's disease.[6]
Hydrogen-rich water has demonstrated improvements in patients with liver disease,[7] and has been shown to improve lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes.[8]
References
- ↑ "Molecular Hydrogen: an Emerging Therapeutic Medical Gas for Brain Disorders". Molecular Neurobiology 60 (4): 1749–1765. 2023. doi:10.1007/s12035-022-03175-w. PMID 36567361.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ohta S (2014). "Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine". Pharmacology & Therapeutics 144 (1): 1–11. doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2014.04.006. PMID 24769081.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Ageing and Ageing-Related Diseases". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 2022. 2022. doi:10.1155/2022/2249749. PMID 35340218.
- ↑ "Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals". Nature Medicine 13 (6): 688–694. 2007. doi:10.1038/nm1577. PMID 17486089.
- ↑ "Hydrogen-rich water reduces inflammatory responses and prevents apoptosis of peripheral blood cells in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial". Scientific Reports 10 (1). 2020. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-68930-2. PMID 32699287. Bibcode: 2020NatSR..1012130S.
- ↑ "The Molecular Biological Mechanism of Hydrogen Therapy and Its Application in Spinal Cord Injury". Drug Design, Development and Therapy 18: 1399–1414. 2024. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S463177. PMID 38707612.
- ↑ "Hydrogen treatment: a novel option in liver diseases". Clinical Medicine 21 (2): e223–e227. 2021. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2020-0370. PMID 33762390.
- ↑ "Hydrogen Therapy in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: from Bench to Bedside". Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 47 (1): 1–10. 2018. doi:10.1159/000489737. PMID 29763888.
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