Front. Physiol., 20 December 2021
Sec. Redox Physiology
Volume 12 – 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.789507
Molecular hydrogen (H2) is an undetectable, colorless, and odorless gas that has demonstrated therapeutic potential in numerous animal studies and clinical trials. Recently, it has been recommended for inclusion in novel coronavirus pneumonia treatment guidelines in China. Due to its low molecular mass, H2 possesses the ability to rapidly diffuse and permeate cell membranes, leading to a diverse array of biological effects. Its application shows promise in the treatment and prevention of various acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, including acute pancreatitis, sepsis, respiratory ailments, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, and autoimmune diseases.
Administered primarily through inhalation, consumption of H2-rich water, or injection of H2 saline, H2 exhibits involvement in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, mitochondrial energy metabolism, immune system regulation, and various forms of cell death, such as apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis. This is achieved by neutralizing excess reactive oxygen species production and modulating nuclear transcription factors. Despite its recognized safety and potential efficacy, the underlying mechanism of H2 remains incompletely elucidated. Given its safety profile and promising therapeutic benefits, H2 holds considerable potential for clinical applications against a multitude of diseases. This review aims to delineate the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects of H2 and delve into its underlying mechanisms, with a specific focus on its role in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The insights provided aim to offer strategic guidance for the medical utilization of H2 across various disease scenarios.
分子氫（H2）是一種無色且無味的氣體，已經在眾多動物研究和臨床試驗中顯示出治療效果。最近，中國的新型冠狀病毒肺炎治療指南中建議應用H2。由於其較小的分子質量，H2能夠迅速擴散和穿透細胞膜，產生多種生物學效應。它可能在治療和預防各種急性和慢性炎症性疾病中發揮作用，如急性胰腺炎、敗血症、呼吸系統疾病、缺血再灌注損傷疾病和自免疫性疾病等。
H2主要通過吸入、飲用富含H2的水或注射H2鹽進行治療，通過抑制過多的活性氧生成和調節核轉錄因子，表現出參與抗炎和抗氧化活性（細胞核能代謝）、免疫系統調節和細胞死亡（凋亡、自噬和火焰性細胞死亡）的特點。然而，H2的潛在機制尚未完全揭示。由於其安全性和潛在療效，H2在臨床上對許多疾病具有前景。本評論將展示H2在抗氧化、抗炎和抗凋亡效應以及其潛在機制中的作用，特別是在2019冠狀病毒病（COVID-19）中的作用，為H2在各種疾病的醫學應用提供策略。