# Neuroprotective potential of molecular hydrogen against perinatal brain injury via suppression of activated microglia.
> 分子状水素による周産期脳損傷に対する神経保護効果：活性化ミクログリア抑制を介したメカニズムの検討


## Abstract

Prenatal inflammatory exposure is a recognized contributor to perinatal brain injury and associated long-term morbidity in children. Using a mouse model in which LPS was administered intraperitoneally to pregnant ICR mice on embryonic day 17, this study examined whether maternal hydrogen water (HW) intake could protect fetal brains from inflammation-induced damage. In fetal brain tissue, H2 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, oxidative damage markers, and microglial activation. In vitro experiments with primary cultured microglia and neurons demonstrated that H2 attenuated LPS- and cytokine-induced reactive oxygen species generation by microglia and decreased microglial neurotoxicity. Additionally, several molecular targets involved in microglial activation were identified as being modulated by H2. These findings indicate that H2 may have preventive potential against inflammation-associated perinatal brain injury.

### Mechanism

H2 suppresses reactive oxygen species generation in activated microglia, leading to reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and decreased microglial neurotoxicity, thereby exerting neuroprotective effects in the developing brain.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Imai K, Kotani T, Tsuda H, Mano Y, Nakano T, Ushida T, et al.
- **Journal**: Free Radic Biol Med
- **Year**: 2016
- **PMID**: [26709014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26709014/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.12.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.12.015)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; 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 26709014. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/26709014
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [26709014](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26709014/)