# Molecular hydrogen is a novel antioxidant to efficiently reduce oxidative stress with potential for the improvement of mitochondrial diseases.
> ミトコンドリア疾患改善の可能性を持つ新規抗酸化物質としての分子状水素


## Abstract

Mitochondria represent a primary site of reactive oxygen species generation, and both acute and sustained oxidative stress contribute to tissue injury, numerous diseases, and aging. This review consolidates findings from over 38 diseases and physiological conditions in which molecular hydrogen has been evaluated since the landmark 2007 Nature Medicine publication. Multiple administration routes are discussed, including gas inhalation, oral hydrogen-rich water, bathing, intravenous or intraperitoneal hydrogen-rich saline, ocular drops, and intestinal bacterial production. Beyond direct antioxidant activity, hydrogen also exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Preliminary clinical data suggest that hydrogen-rich water consumption may ameliorate pathological features of mitochondrial disorders. Despite these encouraging findings, the precise molecular mechanisms by which small quantities of hydrogen exert such broad biological effects remain to be fully elucidated.

### Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen is proposed to selectively neutralize highly reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals, while also modulating anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic pathways, thereby reducing overall oxidative stress burden.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Ohta S
- **Journal**: Biochim Biophys Acta
- **Year**: 2012
- **PMID**: [21621588](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21621588/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.05.006](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.05.006)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: mixed routes
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 21621588. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/21621588
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [21621588](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21621588/)