Intake of Molecular Hydrogen in Drinking Water Increases Membrane Transporters, p-Glycoprotein, and Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein 2 without Affecting Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rat Liver

The augment effects of magnesium hydride on the lipid lowering effect of atorvastatin: an in vivo and in vitro investigation

There is strong evidence connecting increased serum lipid levels to cardiovascular disorders, including atherosclerosis. Statins is prescribed as the primary medication to decrease lipid levels. Recent research has demonstrated that hydrogen possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties by modulating the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α, ultimately leading to the preservation of lipid homeostasis. Magnesium hydride (MgH2) is a prolonged stable hydrogen storage medium, which can be utilized to investigate its synergistic lipid-lowering effect with statins and its detailed molecular mechanism, both in vivo and in vitro. To ascertain the safety and efficacy of MgH2, we executed a comprehensive research of its influence on both physiological and pathological metrics. We noted a substantial diminution in lipid levels when MgH2 was integrated with atorvastatin, as attested by oil red staining. Furthermore, we scrutinized the regulatory effect of MgH2 on cytochrome P450 3A, which is a metabolic enzyme of statins, and discovered that it could be reduced by the MgH2. Concluding from our results, we propose that MgH2 inhibits the expression of cytochrome P450 3A in the liver and exerts an auxiliary lipid-lowering effect by increasing the blood concentration of statins. By augmenting our comprehension of MgH2's role in ameliorating lipid metabolism, we aspire to develop more promising therapies in the future.

Combating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in COVID-19 by Molecular Hydrogen Therapy: Mechanisms and Perspectives

COVID-19 is a widespread global pandemic with nearly 185 million confirmed cases and about four million deaths. It is caused by an infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which primarily affects the alveolar type II pneumocytes. The infection induces pathological responses including increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. This situation results in impaired gas exchange, hypoxia, and other sequelae that lead to multisystem organ failure and death. As summarized in this article, many interventions and therapeutics have been proposed and investigated to combat the viral infection-induced inflammation and oxidative stress that contributes to the etiology and pathogenesis of COVID-19. However, these methods have not significantly improved treatment outcomes. This may partly be attributable to their inability at restoring redox and inflammatory homeostasis, for which molecular hydrogen (H2), an emerging novel medical gas, may complement. Herein, we systematically review the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms of H2. Its small molecular size and nonpolarity allow H2 to rapidly diffuse through cell membranes and penetrate cellular organelles. H2 has been demonstrated to suppress NF-κB inflammatory signaling and induce the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant pathway, as well as to improve mitochondrial function and enhance cellular bioenergetics. Many preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of H2 in varying diseases, including COVID-19. However, the exact mechanisms, primary modes of action, and its true clinical effects remain to be delineated and verified. Accordingly, additional mechanistic and clinical research into this novel medical gas to combat COVID-19 complications is warranted.

Mechanisms Underlying the Biological Effects of Molecular Hydrogen

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 that utilizes molecular hydrogen (H₂) as a scavenger of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among the remarkable characteristics of H₂ is its ability to counteract the harmful effects of hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite without affecting the activity of functionally important ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. The beneficial effects of H₂ have been documented in numerous clinical studies and studies on animal models and cell cultures. However, the established scavenging activity of H₂ can only partially explain its beneficial effects because the effects are achieved at very low concentrations of H₂. Given the rate of H₂ diffusion, such low concentrations may not be sufficient to scavenge continuously generated ROS. H₂ can also act as a signaling molecule and induce defense responses. However, the exact targets and mechanism(s) by which H₂ exerts these effects are unknown. Here, we analyzed both positive and negative effects of the endogenous H₂, identified the redox-sensitive components of the pathways affected by molecular hydrogen, and also discussed the potential role of molecular hydrogen in regulating cellular redox.

Dependencies of hydrogen-water on mineral-based hardness, temperatures and the container materials, and effects of the oral washing and drinking

Widely distributed electrolytic-generators for hydrogen-water are not fully considered for the dependencies of post-electrolytic values of the dissolved hydrogen concentration (DH) and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) on the properties of the pre-electrolytic water. We investigated the dependencies of DH and ORP on mineral-based hardness, temperatures and the container materials, and effects on the oral cavity by oral washing or drinking. Along with an increase in mineral-based water-hardness, DH decreased from 960 to 870 μg/L and the ORP unexpectedly increased from -460 to -320 mV. Purified water of almost zero hardness, however, caused a post-electrolytic DH as low as 80 μg/L and an ORP as high as +20 mV. Post-electrolytic DHs were not significantly changed (780-900 μg/L) upon electrolysis at 1.5-30°C and decreased at 40-50°C. The diffusion of hydrogen from the inside to the outside of the container was extremely small even after 12 hours for an aluminum- or stainless steel-made container, but not for containers made of diverse plastics. The ORP of the intact saliva was +136 mV, and decreased to +90 mV at 20 minutes after 1-minute oral-cramming of hydrogen-water, but returned to +135 mV after 60-minute leaving, showing a transient ORP-decrease in the saliva. Drinking-pause for 4 weeks after drinking hydrogen-water, however, saliva ORP, gradually but not instantly, increased to +60 to +80 mV, but upon drinking-resumption and 2 weeks thereafter, decreased again to -100 to -110 mV, suggesting that several-week hydrogen-water drinking caused a certain decrease in the saliva ORP. Thus, the present study provided the appropriate conditions such as hardness and temperatures for hydrogen-water production by the electrolytic generator, and the container materials suitable for hydrogen-water preservation. Furthermore, we clarified ORP changes of human saliva, being an indicator for human oxidative stress. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the NPO (Non-Profitable Organization)-Corporate Japanese Center for Anti-Aging Medical Sciences (approval No. 09S02) on May 2, 2012.