# Molecular hydrogen protects against oxidative stress-induced SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell death through the process of mitohormesis.
> ミトホルメシスを介した分子状水素によるSH-SY5Y神経芽腫細胞の酸化ストレス誘発性細胞死からの保護


## Abstract

This study examined how molecular hydrogen (H2) affects mitochondrial function in cultured human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Exposure to H2 elevated mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP levels, while simultaneously reducing glutathione levels and increasing superoxide production. When cells were pretreated with H2 prior to hydrogen peroxide challenge, cell death was significantly suppressed; however, post-treatment with H2 conferred no such protection. Upregulation of antioxidant enzymes via the Nrf2 signaling pathway was detected in H2-exposed cells, suggesting that H2 induces a mild mitochondrial stress response that subsequently enhances cellular resistance to severe oxidative insults. These findings support a dual role for H2 as both a reactive oxygen species scavenger and a mitohormetic effector in neuronal cells.

### Mechanism

H2 elevates mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production while transiently increasing superoxide, triggering mild mitochondrial stress that activates the Nrf2 pathway and upregulates antioxidant enzymes, thereby conferring resistance to subsequent severe oxidative stress through a mitohormetic mechanism.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Murakami Y, Ito M, Ohsawa I
- **Journal**: PLoS One
- **Year**: 2017
- **PMID**: [28467497](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28467497/)
- **DOI**: [10.1371/journal.pone.0176992](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176992)
- **PMC**: [PMC5415102](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5415102/)
- **Study type**: in vitro study
- **Delivery route**: in vitro
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

This is basic research at the cellular or molecular level. For human application, inhalation is the most promising delivery route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This is basic research at the cellular or molecular level. For human application, inhalation is the most promising delivery route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices 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)

---

> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 28467497. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/28467497
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [28467497](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28467497/)