Molecular hydrogen: potential in mitigating oxidative-stress-induced radiation injury

• Published in: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology Vol. 97; no. 4; pp. 287 - 292
• Main Authors: Kura, Branislav, Bagchi, Ashim K, Singal, Pawan K, Barancik, Miroslav, LeBaron, Tyler W, Valachova, Katarina, Soltes, Ladislav, Slezak, Jan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa NRC Research Press 01.04.2019; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Activation; Antioxidants; Antioxidants (Nutrients); Apoptosis; Cell survival; Free radicals; Health aspects; Homeostasis; Hydrogen; Hydrogen ion concentration; Irradiation; Lipid peroxidation; Necrosis; Nitrogen radicals; Observations; Oxidative stress; Peroxidation; Pharmacology; Physiology; Pretreatment; Properties; Radiation; Radiation (Physics); Radiation injuries; Superoxide; Superoxide dismutase; Superoxides; Tumors
• ISSN: 0008-4212; 1205-7541
• DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2018-0604

Uncontrolled production of oxygen and nitrogen radicals results in oxidative and nitrosative stresses that impair cellular functions and have been regarded as causative common denominators of many pathological processes. In this review, we report on the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen in scavenging radicals in an artificial system of *OH formation. As a proof of principle, we also demonstrate that in rat hearts in vivo, administration of molecular hydrogen led to a significant increase in superoxide dismutase as well as pAKT, a cell survival signaling molecule. Irradiation of the rats caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, which was mitigated by pre-treatment of the animals with molecular hydrogen. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 is regarded as an important regulator of oxyradical homeostasis, as well as it supports the functional integrity of cells, particularly under conditions of oxidative stress. We suggest that the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen may be through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway that promotes innate antioxidants and reduction of apoptosis, as well as inflammation.