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, as well as due to its role as an inducer of gene expression,[1] H2 is not cytotoxic or explosive below 4% concentration.[2] H2 can rapidly cross cell membranes, including mitochondrial and nuclear membranes, as well as the blood–brain barrier.[1]
H2 directly neutralizes hydroxyl radicals (•HO) and directly scavenges peroxynitrite (ONOO−).[2] 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.[2]
H2 indirectly induces expression of antioxidant enzymes by activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor.[1]
In a rat model of ischemia and reperfusion, inhalation of H2-gas markedly suppressed brain injury.[3]
Clinical trials in human patients
[edit]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.[1] Lipid and glucose metabolism was significantly improved in patients with type 2 diabetes administered hydrogen-rich saline.[2]
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis given H2-water for four weeks showed significant improvement of symptoms.[1]
Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) administered 2.4% H2-containing steam showed significant reduced inflammation in the airways.[2]
A randomized clinical trial in which healthy adults drank H2-rich water for four weeks reduction of DNA damage, and reduced markers of inflammation, but only in those over 30 years of age.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b c d e Fu Z, Zhang J, Zhang Y (2022). "Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Ageing and Ageing-Related Diseases". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2022: 2249749. doi:10.1155/2022/2249749. PMC 8956398. PMID 35340218.
- ^ Ohsawa I, Ishikawa M, Ohta S (2007). "Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals". Nature Medicine. 13 (6): 688–694. doi:10.1038/nm1577. PMID 17486089.
- ^ Sim M, Kim C, Shin D (2020). "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): 12130. Bibcode:2020NatSR..1012130S. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-68930-2. PMC 7376192. PMID 32699287.