Protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline against radiation-induced immune dysfunction

Pilot Feasibility and Safety Study of Hydrogen Gas Inhalation in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Purpose

Hydrogen (H2) gas inhalation might alleviate acute radiotherapy toxicities by scavenging free radicals produced by ionizing radiation and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of H2 gas inhalation during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC).

Patients and Methods

We designed a pilot prospective study combining CCRT with aerosol inhalation of H2 gas. Each patient was scheduled to receive daily intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in 33 fractions on a weekday and six cycles of weekly chemotherapy. All patients inhaled H2 gas through a cannula or mask 1 hour per day, 1-2 hours before IMRT. The primary endpoint was the feasibility of H2 inhalation. Eighty percent of the patients who completed at least 20 applications of H2 gas inhalation were considered feasible. The secondary endpoints were safety profiles during H2 gas inhalation (vital signs and symptoms related to H2 gas inhalation) and acute toxicities during CCRT.

Results

We enrolled 10 patients with LAHNC between July 2023 and December 2023. All patients received 33 fractions of H2 gas inhalation on the same day as the IMRT. Vital signs during and at the end of H2 gas inhalation were stable in all patients. None of the 10 patients had hypertension or hypotension during any of the 33 inhalations. No adverse events related to H2 gas inhalation, such as cough, nasal bleeding, dizziness, headache, nausea, or vomiting, were reported. Grade 3 leukopenia was found in two patients (20%) during the 5th week of CCRT. Grade 2 radiation dermatitis and pharyngitis were found in three patients (30%).

Conclusion

H2 gas inhalation combined with CCRT is feasible and safe for patients with LAHNC.

Multifunctional Glycopeptide-Based Hydrogel via Dual-Modulation for the Prevention and Repair of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury

The radiation-induced skin injury (RISI) remains a great challenge for clinical wound management and care after radiotherapy, as patients will suffer from the acute radiation injury and long-term chronic inflammatory damage during the treatment. The excessive ROS in the early acute stage and prolonged inflammatory response in the late healing process always hinder therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we developed an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic multifunctional glycopeptide hydrogel (oCP@As) to promote and accelerate RISI repair via a dual-modulation strategy in different healing stages. The oCP@As hydrogel not only can form an ECM-like nanofiber structure through the Schiff base reaction but also exhibits ROS scavenging and DNA double-strand break repair abilities, which can effectively reduce the acute radiation damage. Meanwhile, the introduction of oxidized chondroitin sulfate, which is the ECM polysaccharide-like component, enables regulation of the inflammatory response by adsorption of inflammatory factors, accelerating the repair of chronic inflammatory injury. The animal experiments demonstrated that oCP@As can significantly weaken RISI symptoms, promote epidermal tissue regeneration and angiogenesis, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Therefore, this multifunctional glycopeptide hydrogel dressing can effectively attenuate RISI symptoms and promote RISI healing, showing great potential for clinical applications in radiotherapy protection and repair.

The resistance of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic microorganisms to ofloxacin in sludge anaerobic digestion process

Ofloxacin (OFL) is a commonly used antibiotic that can enter wastewater treatment plants and be adsorbed by the sludge, resulting in a high OFL concentration in sludge and affecting the subsequent sludge anaerobic digestion process. However, the micro mechanisms involved in this process have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, this study focuses on the effect of OFL on the sludge anaerobic digestion of sludge to provide such support. The experimental results showed that the maximal methane yield decreased from 277.7 to 164.7 mL/g VSS with the OFL concentration increased from 0 to 300 mg/L. Additionally, OFL hindered the intermediate biochemical processes of hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and acetoclastic methanogenesis. However, it promoted hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis process, using H2 as substrate, with the concentration of 300 mg/L OFL was 5.54 fold methane production of that in the control. Further investigation revealed that the negative effect of OFL was likely due to the induction of reactive oxygen species, which led to a decrease in cell activity and interference with the activity of key enzymes. Microbiological analysis revealed that OFL reduced the relative abundance of hydrolysis and acidogenesis bacteria, and Methanosaeta archaea, while increasing the relative abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis microorganism from 36.54% to 51.48% as the OFL concentration increase from 0 to 300 mg/L.

Comprehensive brain tissue metabolomics and biological network technology to decipher the mechanism of hydrogen-rich water on Radiation-induced cognitive impairment in rats

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to prevent cognitive impairment caused by ionizing radiation. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of HRW on ionizing radiation by coupling the brain metabolomics and biological target network methods.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HRW significantly improves the cognitive impairment in rats exposed to ionizing radiation. Based on metabolomics and biological network results, we identified 54 differential metabolites and 93 target genes. The KEGG pathway indicates that glutathione metabolism, ascorbic acid and aldehyde acid metabolism, pentose and glucuronic acid interconversion, and glycerophospholipid metabolism play important roles in ionizing radiation therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study has systematically elucidated the molecular mechanism of HRW against ionizing radiation, which can be mediated by modulating targets, pathways and metabolite levels. This provides a new perspective for identifying the underlying pharmacological mechanism of HRW.

Hydrogen Therapy and Its Future Prospects for Ameliorating COVID-19: Clinical Applications, Efficacy, and Modality

Molecular hydrogen is renowned as an odorless and colorless gas. The recommendations developed by China suggest that the inhalation of hydrogen molecules is currently advised in COVID-19 pneumonia treatment. The therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogens have been confirmed after numerous clinical trials and animal-model-based experiments, which have expounded that the low molecular weight of hydrogen enables it to easily diffuse and permeate through the cell membranes to produce a variety of biological impacts. A wide range of both chronic and acute inflammatory diseases, which may include sepsis, pancreatitis, respiratory disorders, autoimmune diseases, ischemia-reperfusion damages, etc. may be treated and prevented by using it. H₂ can primarily be inoculated through inhalation, by drinking water (which already contains H₂), or by administrating the injection of saline H₂ in the body. It may play a pivotal role as an antioxidant, in regulating the immune system, in anti-inflammatory activities (mitochondrial energy metabolism), and cell death (apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy) by reducing the formation of excessive reactive O₂ species and modifying the transcription factors in the nuclei of the cells. However, the fundamental process of molecular hydrogen is still not entirely understood. Molecular hydrogen H₂ has a promising future in therapeutics based on its safety and possible usefulness. The current review emphasizes the antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen molecules along with the underlying principle and fundamental mechanism involved, with a prime focus on the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). This review will also provide strategies and recommendations for the therapeutic and medicinal applications of the hydrogen molecule.

Hydrogen, a Novel Therapeutic Molecule, Regulates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is a colorless and odorless gas. Studies have shown that H₂ inhalation has the therapeutic effects in many animal studies and clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment guidelines in China recently. H₂ has a relatively small molecular mass, which helps it quickly spread and penetrate cell membranes to exert a wide range of biological effects. It may play a role in the treatment and prevention of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, sepsis, respiratory disease, ischemia reperfusion injury diseases, autoimmunity diseases, etc.. H₂ is primarily administered via inhalation, drinking H₂-rich water, or injection of H₂ saline. It may participate in the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (mitochondrial energy metabolism), immune system regulation, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis) through annihilating excess reactive oxygen species production and modulating nuclear transcription factor. However, the underlying mechanism of H₂ has not yet been fully revealed. Owing to its safety and potential efficacy, H₂ has a promising potential for clinical use against many diseases. This review will demonstrate the role of H₂ in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects and its underlying mechanism, particularly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), providing strategies for the medical application of H₂ for various diseases.

Protective rules of natural antioxidants against gamma-induced damage-A review

Phytochemicals accessible in food have demonstrated efficiency against impairment by gamma radiation. The review presented here is an attempt to show the pharmacological outline of the activity of the natural antioxidants and its primary action of molecular mechanism against the damage induced by gamma rays. This research focused on the results of the in vitro dosage of natural antioxidants relationship, and on the correlation of this information with the statistical variables. Moreover, it deliberated the natural compounds which could decrease the unwelcome impacts of gamma radiation and safeguard biological systems from radiation-stimulated genotoxicity. The outcomes indicated that natural compounds can be utilized as an adjunct to orthodox radiotherapy and cultivate it as an effectual drug for the clinical administration of ailments.

Molecular Hydrogen as a Novel Antitumor Agent: Possible Mechanisms Underlying Gene Expression

While many antitumor drugs have yielded unsatisfactory therapeutic results, drugs are one of the most prevalent therapeutic measures for the treatment of cancer. The development of cancer largely results from mutations in nuclear DNA, as well as from those in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Molecular hydrogen (H₂), an inert molecule, can scavenge hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which are known to be the strongest oxidizing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body that causes these DNA mutations. It has been reported that H₂ has no side effects, unlike conventional antitumor drugs, and that it is effective against many diseases caused by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Recently, there has been an increasing number of papers on the efficacy of H₂ against cancer and its effects in mitigating the side effects of cancer treatment. In this review, we demonstrate the efficacy and safety of H₂ as a novel antitumor agent and show that its mechanisms may not only involve the direct scavenging of ·OH, but also other indirect biological defense mechanisms via the regulation of gene expression.

Molecular Hydrogen as a Potential Clinically Applicable Radioprotective Agent

Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be classified into direct and indirect damages, caused by the direct absorption of radiation energy into DNA and by free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), generated in the process of water radiolysis. More specifically, radiation damage concerns not only direct damages to DNA, but also secondary damages to non-DNA targets, because low-dose radiation damage is mainly caused by these indirect effects. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has the potential to be a radioprotective agent because it can selectively scavenge •OH, a reactive oxygen species with strong oxidizing power. Animal experiments and clinical trials have reported that H₂ exhibits a highly safe radioprotective effect. This paper reviews previously reported radioprotective effects of H₂ and discusses the mechanisms of H₂, not only as an antioxidant, but also in intracellular responses including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and the regulation of gene expression. In doing so, we demonstrate the prospects of H₂ as a novel and clinically applicable radioprotective agent.

Protective effects of hydrogen gas inhalation on radiation-induced bone marrow damage in cancer patients: a retrospective observational study

Although intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been developed as an alternative to conventional radiotherapy, reducing bone marrow damage is limited. Thus, a novel technology is needed to further mitigate IMRT-induced bone marrow damage. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) was recently reported as a preventive and therapeutic antioxidant that selectively scavenges hydroxyl radical (·OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO^-). This observational study aimed to examine whether H₂ gas treatment improves IMRT-induced bone marrow damage in cancer patients. The study was performed at Clinic C4 in Tokyo, Japan between May 2015 and November 2016. During this period, all enrolled patients received IMRT once per day for 1 to 4 weeks. After each time of IMRT, the patients of control group (n = 7, 3 men and 4 women, age range: 26-70 years) received mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in health care chamber for 30 minutes, and the patients of H₂ group (n = 16, 8 men and 8 women, age range: 35-82 years) received 5% H₂ gas in health care chamber for 30 minutes once per day. Radiation-induced bone marrow damage was evaluated by hematological examination of peripheral blood obtained before and after IMRT, and the data were expressed by the ratio after to before treatment. The total number of radiation times and total exposure doses of radiation were similar between the control and H₂ groups. IMRT with health care chamber therapy significantly reduced white blood cells and platelets, but not red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit. In contrast, H₂ gas treatment significantly alleviates the reducing effects of white blood cells and platelets (P = 0.0011 and P = 0.0275, respectively). Tumor responses to IMRT were similar between the two groups. The results obtained demonstrated that H₂ gas inhalation therapy alleviated IMRT-induced bone marrow damage without compromising the anti-tumor effects of IMRT. The present study suggests that this novel approach of H₂ gas inhalation therapy may be applicable to IMRT-induced bone marrow damage in cancer patients. The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee Review of Tokyo Clinic and Research Institute ICVS Incorporated (Tokyo, Japan) on February 1, 2019, and was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN ID: UMIN000035864) on February 20, 2019.

Molecular hydrogen: A potential radioprotective agent

In recent years, many studies have shown that hydrogen has therapeutic and preventive effects on various diseases. Its selective antioxidant properties were well noticed. Most of the ionizing radiation-induced damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals (OH) from radiolysis of H₂O. Since hydrogen can mitigate such damage through multiple mechanisms, it presents noteworthy potential as a novel radio-protective agent. This review analyses possible mechanisms for hydrogen's radioprotective properties and effective delivery methods. We also look into details of vitro and vivo studies for hydrogen's radioprotective effects, and clinical practices. We conclude that hydrogen has good potential in radio-protection, with evidence that warrants greater research efforts in this field.

Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Radiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats

The goal of this work was to determine whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could attenuate radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Rats received 30 Gy whole-brain irradiation using a 6-MeV electron beam. Either purified water or HRW (0.8-0.9 ppm) was administrated at 10 min prior to irradiation, as well as a daily HRW treatment after irradiation for 30 consecutive days. The Morris water maze was used to test spatial memory in the rats. The concentration of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the super-oxidedismutase (SOD) activity in cerebral cortex, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in serum, were measured. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect proliferating cells. The expression of BDNF-TrkB pathway-related genes and proteins were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Models of cognitive dysfunction were successfully established using a 30 Gy dose of ionizing radiation. Compared to the radiation treated group, the radiation-HRW treated group showed significantly decreased escape latency (P < 0.05), but increased retention time, swimming distance of original platform quadrant (P < 0.05) and number of platform crossings (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the SOD, GSH (P < 0.05) and BDNF (P < 0.05) levels in the radiation-HRW treated group were higher compared to the radiation treated group. The MDA and 8-OHdG levels (P < 0.05) were decreased in the radiation-HRW treated group when compared to the radiation treated group. Additionally, treatment with HRW increased the number of BrdU⁺NeuN⁺ cells in the radiation treated group. The mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB (P < 0.05) in radiation-HRW treated group was higher than that in the radiation treated group. Collectively, our study indicates that HRW has a protective effect on radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction, and that the possible mechanisms mainly involve anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory reactions, and its protection of newborn neurons by regulating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway.

Radioprotective Effect of Walnut Oligopeptides Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Splenocyte Apoptosis and Intestinal Injury in Mice

Walnut oligopeptides (WOPs) intake is associated with the augment of the antioxidant defense system and immune system. The chief object of this study is to evaluate the radioprotective effect of walnut oligopeptides extracted from walnut seed protein against ⁶⁰Coγ-irradiation induced damage in mice. Female BALB/c mice were administered WOPs through drinking water for 14 days until a single dose of whole-body ⁶⁰Coγ-irradiation. The 30-day survival test was carried out in the first group (8 Gy), and the other two groups (3.5 Gy) were sacrificed at 3 days and 14 days post-irradiation. Blood and organ samples of mice in the three groups were collected, the histopathological analysis and immunohistochemistry were conducted. The number of peripheral blood leukocytes, bone marrow DNA content, inflammatory cytokines, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal permeability were measured. We found that the administration of WOPs augmented antioxidant defense system, accelerated hematopoietic recovery and showed the significant trend toward higher survival rate and less weight loss compared with non-administrated control mice. In addition, WOPs administration appeared to be important to limit IR-induced splenocyte apoptosis and inflammatory cascade as well as reduce intestine epithelial barrier dysfunction and promote epithelial integrity. These results suggest that pre and post-treatment of WOPs may help to ameliorate acute damage, which is induced by ionizing radiation in mice and accelerate its recovery.

Exogenous melatonin modulates carbon ion radiation-induced immune dysfunction in mice

In spite of carbon ion radiotherapy is a talented modality for malignant tumor patients, the radiation damage of normal tissues adjacent to tumor and the dysfunction of immune system limits therapeutic gain. Protecting immune system against carbon ion radiation-caused damage has the possibility to improve cancer treatment, but it is uncertain whether conventional radioprotective agents play a role in carbon ion radiation. To certify carbon ion caused immune dysfunction and assess the radioprotective effect of melatonin on immune system, animal experiments were performed in radiosensitive BALB/C mice. Here, we observed the bodyweight loss, death and apoptosis, abnormal T-cell distributions in immune system in carbon ion radiated mice. Pretreatment with melatonin could increase the index of thymus and spleen, reduce cell apoptosis in thymus and spleen, and attenuate the carbon ion radiation-caused imbalance of T lymphocytes and disorder of cytokines. These results suggest that melatonin can act as an effective protector against carbon ion radiation-caused immune dysfunction. Furthermore, we also found melatonin restored the activity of the antioxidant enzymes and reduced the level of lipid peroxidation in serum. These data have provided baseline information both for radiation workers and cancer patients to use melatonin as a radioprotector during the carbon ion radiation treatment.

Regulation of microRNAs by molecular hydrogen contributes to the prevention of radiation-induced damage in the rat myocardium

microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. It has been estimated that miRNAs regulate up to 30% of the protein-coding genes in humans. They are implicated in many physiological and pathological processes, including those involved in radiation-induced heart damage. Biomedical studies indicate that molecular hydrogen has potential as a radioprotective agent due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and signal-modulating effects. However, the impact of molecular hydrogen on the expression of miRNAs in the heart after irradiation has not been investigated. This study aimed to explore the involvement of miRNA-1, -15b, and -21 in the protective action of molecular hydrogen on rat myocardium damaged by irradiation. The results showed that the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) increased in the rat myocardium after irradiation. Treatment with molecular hydrogen-rich water (HRW) reduced these values to the level of non-irradiated controls. miRNA-1 is known to be involved in cardiac hypertrophy, and was significantly decreased in the rat myocardium after irradiation. Application of HRW attenuated this decrease in all evaluated time periods. miRNA-15b is considered to be anti-fibrotic, anti-hypertrophic, and anti-oxidative. Irradiation downregulated miRNA-15b, whereas administration of HRW restored these values. miRNA-21 is connected with cardiac fibrosis. We observed significant increase in miRNA-21 expression in the irradiated rat hearts. Molecular hydrogen lowered myocardial miRNA-21 levels after irradiation. This study revealed for the first time that the protective effects of molecular hydrogen on irradiation-induced heart damage may be mediated by regulating miRNA-1, -15b, and -21.

Hydrogen-rich solution attenuates myocardial injury caused by cardiopulmonary bypass in rats via the Janus-activated kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway

The incidence of complications and mortality following open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with the severity of the myocardial injury that occurs during surgery. Hydrogen-rich solution (HRS) may prevent antioxidant stress and inhibit apoptosis and inflammation. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of HRS on CPB-induced myocardial injury, and to investigate its potential regulation of the Janus-activated kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway. The HRS treatment resulted in the significant upregulation of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), whilesuperoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were significantly downregulated, compared with the Sham group (P<0.05). Additionally, HRS treatment improved myocardial injury, and decreased the expression levels of cardiac troponins, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, MDA and MPO, and increased SOD release in CPB rats (P<0.05). Additionally, in the CPB group without the HRS treatment, the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, JAK2, phospho-JAK2 (p-JAK2), STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3) were significantly decreased, and Bax was significantly increased, compared with the Sham group (P<0.05). By contrast, compared with the CPB group, the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3 and p-STAT3 in the HRS group were significantly increased, and Bcl-2-associated X protein expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In JAK2 knockdown experiments using siRNA, HRS treatment following hypoxia/reoxygenation also significantly increased the viability of myocardial cells, decreased the rate of myocardial cell apoptosis, elevated the levels of SOD and suppressed the release of MDA and lactate dehydrogenase in the control siRNA and CPB groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, JAK2 siRNA attenuated these protective effects of HRS (P<0.05 vs. control siRNA, HRS and CPB groups). Additionally, the results demonstrated that the HRS treatment significantly increased the expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3 and Bcl-2 in myocardial cells following hypoxia and decreased Bax expression in the control siRNA and CPB groups (P<0.05). In addition, JAK2 siRNA was determined to attenuate these effects of HRS (P<0.05 vs. control siRNA, HRS and CPB groups). Taken together, these results indicated that HRS may alleviate CPB-induced myocardial injury, inhibit myocardial cell apoptosis and protect myocardial cells through regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Hydrogen‑rich solution against myocardial injury and aquaporin expression via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway during cardiopulmonary bypass in rats

Myocardial ischemia, hypoxia and reperfusion injury are induced by aortic occlusion, cardiac arrest and resuscitation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which can severely affect cardiac function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hydrogen-rich solution (HRS) and aquaporin (AQP) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)-induced myocardial injury, and determine the mechanism of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into a sham operation group, a CPB surgery group and a HRS group. A CPB model was established, and the hemodynamic parameters were determined at the termination of CPB. The myocardial tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson staining. The levels of myocardial injury markers [adult cardiac troponin I (cTnI), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)], inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)] were determined by ELISA. Furthermore, H9C2 cells were treated with HRS following hypoxia/reoxygenation. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were investigated. The expression of apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (Bcl-2), apoptosis regulator Bax (Bax), caspase 3, AQP-1, AQP-4, phosphorylated (p)-Akt, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were investigated using western blotting and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction of tissues and cells. Following CPB, myocardial cell arrangement was disordered, myocardial injury markers (cTnI, LDH, CK-MB and BNP), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and MDA levels were significantly increased compared with the sham group; whereas the SOD levels were significantly downregulated following CPB compared with the sham group. HRS attenuated myocardial injury, reduced the expression levels of cTnI, LDH, CK-MB, BNP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA and MPO, and increased SOD release. Levels of Bcl-2, AQP-1, AQP-4, p-Akt, HO-1 and Nrf2 were significantly increased following HRS; whereas Bax and caspase-3 expression levels were significantly reduced following CPB. HRS treatment significantly increased the viability of myocardial cells, reduced the rate of myocardial cell apoptosis and the release of MDA and LDH compared with the CPB group. A PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was revealed to reverse the protective effect of HRS treatment. HRS was demonstrated to attenuate CPB-induced myocardial injury, suppress AQP-1 and AQP-4 expression following CPB treatment and protect myocardial cells via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates spinal cord hemisection-induced testicular injury in rats

To study how hydrogen-rich saline (HS) promotes the recovery of testicular biological function in a hemi-sectioned spinal cord injury (hSCI) rat model, a right hemisection was performed at the T11–T12 of the spinal cord in Wistar rats. Animals were divided into four groups: normal group; vehicle group: sham-operated rats administered saline; hSCI group: subjected to hSCI and administered saline; HRST group: subjected to hSCI and administered HS. Hind limb neurological function, testis index, testicular morphology, mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD) and seminiferous epithelial thickness (MSET), the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), mitofusin-2 (MFN-2), and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1), cell ultrastructure, and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells were studied. The results indicated that hSCI significantly decreased the hind limb neurological function, testis index, MSTD, and MSET, and induced severe testicular morphological injury. The MFN-2 level was decreased, and HO-1 and HMGB-1 were overexpressed in testicular tissues. In addition, hSCI accelerated the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and the ultrastructural damage of cells in the hypophysis and testis. After HS administration, all these parameters were considerably improved, and the characteristics of hSCI testes were similar to those of normal control testes. Taken together, HS administration can promote the recovery of testicular biological function by anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic action. More importantly, HS can inhibit the hSCI-induced ultrastructural changes in gonadotrophs, ameliorate the abnormal regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis, and thereby promote the recovery of testicular injury. HS administration also inhibited the hSCI-induced ultrastructural changes in testicular spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and interstitial cells.

Evaluation of the structure–activity relationship of carbon nanomaterials as antioxidants

Aim: To develop the potential application of carbon nanomaterials as antioxidants calls for better understanding of how the specific structure affects their antioxidant activity. Materials & methods: Several typical carbon nanomaterials, including graphene quantum dots and fullerene derivatives were characterized and their radical scavenging activities were evaluated; in addition, the in vitro and in vivo radioprotection experiments were performed. Results: These carbon nanomaterials can efficiently scavenge free radicals in a structure-dependent manner. In vitro assays demonstrate that administration of these carbon nanomaterials markedly increases the surviving fraction of cells exposed to ionizing radiation. Moreover, in vivo experiments confirm that their administration can also increase the survival rates of mice exposed to radiation. Conclusion: All results confirm that large, buckyball-shaped fullerenes show the strongest antioxidant properties and the best radioprotective efficiency. Our work will be useful in guiding the design and optimization of nanomaterials for potential antioxidant and radioprotection bio-applications.

The transfer of hydrogen from inert gas to therapeutic gas

Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe, and has been used as an inert gas for a long time. More recent studies have shown that molecular hydrogen as a kind of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, gene expression and signal modulation molecule, can be used for the treatment of many diseases. This review mainly focuses on the research progresses of hydrogen in various medical fields and the possible action mechanisms.

Molecular hydrogen: a preventive and therapeutic medical gas for various diseases

Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. This review discusses H2 biological effects and potential mechanisms of action in various diseases, including metabolic syndrome, organ injury, and cancer; describes effective H2 delivery approaches; and summarizes recent progress toward H2 applications in human medicine. We also discuss remaining questions in H2 therapy, and conclude with an appeal for a greater role for H2 in the prevention and treatment of human ailments that are currently major global health burdens. This review makes a case for supporting hydrogen medicine in human disease prevention and therapy.

Monophosphoryl lipid a attenuates radiation injury through TLR4 activation

Ionizing radiation causes severe damage to human body, and normal tissue toxicity in cancer radiotherapy also limits its further application. It is urgently required to develop safe and effective radioprotector. Our previous study has shown that toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) was dispensable for basal radiation resistance. However, severe toxicity of its traditional agonist lipopolysaccharide limits the clinical application. In present study, we demonstrated that monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a potent TLR4 agonist with low toxicity, effectively attenuated radiation injury on in vitro and in vivo. MPLA increased cell survival and inhibited cell apoptosis after irradiation, and cell cycle arrest was also inhibited. Radiosensitive tissues including spleen, intestine, bone marrow and testis were protected from radiation damages in a TLR4 dependent manner. We also found that myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) accounted more than Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor inducing IFN-β (TRIF) for the radioprotective effects of MPLA. In conclusion, our finding suggests TLR4 agonist MPLA as a safe and effective radioprotector for clinical application.

Radioprotective activity of blackcurrant extract evaluated by in vitro micronucleus and gene mutation assays in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells

INTRODUCTION

Blackcurrant (Ribs nigrum L.) is a classical fruit that has long been used to prepare juice, jam, liqueur, and sometimes medicines in Europe. Previously, we reported a genome defense effect by the antioxidative activity of several types of blackcurrant extracts (BCEs) in yeast and human cell gene mutation assays. In this study, we determined if BCE exerted radioprotective activity against DNA damage, chromosomal aberration, and gene mutations in the TK6 human lymphoblastoid cell line. We prepared aqueous BCE extracted from mature fruits cultivated in the Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

FINDINGS

In the micronucleus test and TK gene mutation assay, TK6 cells were irradiated with 0, 0.125, 0.250, 0.500, and 1.000 Gy with or without 1.0 mg/mL BCE. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was measured using the fluorescent probe BES-H₂O₂-Ac. Induction of micronuclei and gene mutations by γ-irradiation exposure was suppressed in combination with BCE. In addition, BCE reduced intracellular H₂O₂ levels caused by γ-irradiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings clearly support the genome defense potential of blackcurrant against γ-induced DNA damage. We postulate that these genome defense activities are related to the antioxidant compounds in blackcurrant.

Radiation-induced decrease of CD8+ dendritic cells contributes to Th1/Th2 shift

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) often reduce the helper T (Th) 1 like function, resulting in a Th1/Th2 imbalance, which could affect the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy. As the most potent antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells (DC) can be divided into several subsets with specialized function. However, there is no literature covering the changes of DC subsets and their roles in immune regulation in response to IR. In the present study, we were aimed to investigate the changes of DC subsets after IR and its relationship with Th1/Th2 immunity. We found a significant decrease of BDCA3+DC in the blood of patients treated with radiotherapy. CD8+DC, a mouse equivalent of human BDCA3+DC, was also found decreased in mice spleen, peripheral blood and lymph node tissues after irradiation. As CD8+DC mainly induce Th1 immunity, we tested the changes of Th1/Th2 response and found that IR caused a repression of Th1 immunity, indicating a possible role of CD8+DC in radiation-induced Th1/Th2 imbalance. We also found that a CD8+DC-inducing cytokine, Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3 ligand), restored CD8+DC and reversed Th1/Th2 shift. And then we found that bone marrow cells from irradiated mice differentiated into less CD8+DC, which was also protected by FLT3 ligand. In conclusion, our data showed that IR induced a decrease of CD8+DC and Th1/Th2 shift, which was reversed by Flt3 ligand treatment, suggesting a novel mechanism for radiation-induced immunosuppression.

Protective Effects of Hydrogen against Low-Dose Long-Term Radiation-Induced Damage to the Behavioral Performances, Hematopoietic System, Genital System, and Splenic Lymphocytes in Mice

Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has been previously reported playing an important role in ameliorating damage caused by acute radiation. In this study, we investigated the effects of H₂ on the alterations induced by low-dose long-term radiation (LDLTR). All the mice in hydrogen-treated or radiation-only groups received 0.1 Gy, 0.5 Gy, 1.0 Gy, and 2.0 Gy whole-body gamma radiation, respectively. After the last time of radiation exposure, all the mice were employed for the determination of the body mass (BM) observation, forced swim test (FST), the open field test (OFT), the chromosome aberration (CA), the peripheral blood cells parameters analysis, the sperm abnormality (SA), the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), and the histopathological studies. And significant differences between the treatment group and the radiation-only groups were observed, showing that H₂ could diminish the detriment induced by LDLTR and suggesting the protective efficacy of H₂ in multiple systems in mice against LDLTR.

Pine polyphenols from Pinus koraiensis prevent injuries induced by gamma radiation in mice

Pine polyphenols (PPs) are bioactive dietary constituents that enhance health and help prevent diseases through antioxidants. Antioxidants reduce the level of oxidative damages caused by ionizing radiation (IR). The main purpose of this paper is to study the protective effect of PPs on peripheral blood, liver and spleen injuries in mice induced by IR. ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) male mice were administered orally with PPs (200 mg/kg b.wt.) once daily for 14 consecutive days prior to 7 Gy γ-radiations. PPs showed strong antioxidant activities. PPs significantly increased white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets counts. PPs also significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidases, and the level of glutathione. PPs reduced the spleen morphologic injury. In addition, PPs inhibited mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathways in splenocytes induced by IR. These results indicate that PPs are radioprotective promising reagents.

Beneficial biological effects and the underlying mechanisms of molecular hydrogen - comprehensive review of 321 original articles

Therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen for a wide range of disease models and human diseases have been investigated since 2007. A total of 321 original articles have been published from 2007 to June 2015. Most studies have been conducted in Japan, China, and the USA. About three-quarters of the articles show the effects in mice and rats. The number of clinical trials is increasing every year. In most diseases, the effect of hydrogen has been reported with hydrogen water or hydrogen gas, which was followed by confirmation of the effect with hydrogen-rich saline. Hydrogen water is mostly given ad libitum. Hydrogen gas of less than 4 % is given by inhalation. The effects have been reported in essentially all organs covering 31 disease categories that can be subdivided into 166 disease models, human diseases, treatment-associated pathologies, and pathophysiological conditions of plants with a predominance of oxidative stress-mediated diseases and inflammatory diseases. Specific extinctions of hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite were initially presented, but the radical-scavenging effect of hydrogen cannot be held solely accountable for its drastic effects. We and others have shown that the effects can be mediated by modulating activities and expressions of various molecules such as Lyn, ERK, p38, JNK, ASK1, Akt, GTP-Rac1, iNOS, Nox1, NF-κB p65, IκBα, STAT3, NFATc1, c-Fos, and ghrelin. Master regulator(s) that drive these modifications, however, remain to be elucidated and are currently being extensively investigated.

Radiation-induced hematopoietic myelosuppression and genotoxicity get significantly countered by active principles of Podophyllum hexandrum: A study in strain 'A' mice

PURPOSE

To investigate the protective role of a novel formulation, prepared by a combination of three active principles isolated from Podophyllum hexandrum (G-002M), against radiation- mediated hematopoietic suppression and cytogenetic aberrations in lethally irradiated mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

G-002M, a combination of podophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin-β-D glucoside and rutin, was administered intramuscularly in mice (- 1 h) to radiation (9 Gy) exposure. The animals were autopsied at different time intervals for further studies.

RESULTS

Loss of bone marrow progenitor cells, altered myeloid/erythroid ratio, serum erythropoietin and pancytopenia in irradiated mice was found significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorated in G-002M pre-administered mice within 30 d. Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) and BAX (Bcl-2-associated X) protein expression was also positively (p < 0.001) countered in these mice. Chromosomal aberrations in 30 d were found remarkably (p < 0.001) reduced in marrow of G-002M pretreated mice. Accelerated antioxidants, reduced DNA damage, stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and minimal cellular atrophy in spleen were some of the other key features observed in G-002M administered mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction in hematopoietic aplasia and chromosomal aberrations, besides, early recovery in bone marrow and spleen of G-002M pretreated mice, could be attributed to its free radical scavenging, DNA protecting and apoptotic proteins modulating ability against radiation.

A review of experimental studies of hydrogen as a new therapeutic agent in emergency and critical care medicine

Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the Universe, but is seldom regarded as a therapeutic agent. Recent evidence has shown that hydrogen is a potent antioxidative, antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent and so may have potential medical applications in cells, tissues and organs. There are several methods to administer hydrogen, such as inhalation of hydrogen gas, aerosol inhalation of a hydrogen-rich solution, drinking hydrogen dissolved in water, injecting hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) and taking a hydrogen bath. Drinking hydrogen solution (saline/pure water/other solutions saturated with hydrogen) may be more practical in daily life and more suitable for daily consumption. This review summarizes the findings of recent studies on the use of hydrogen in emergency and critical care medicine using different disease models.