# Therapeutic effect of molecular hydrogen in corneal UVB-induced oxidative stress and corneal photodamage.
> 角膜UVB照射による酸化ストレスおよび光障害に対する分子状水素の効果


## Abstract

This animal study investigated whether hydrogen-rich PBS (0.5 ppm wt/vol H2) could mitigate oxidative damage in rabbit corneas exposed to UVB irradiation (1.01 J/cm² once daily for four days). In untreated or buffer-treated irradiated corneas, elevated malondialdehyde and peroxynitrite levels were detected alongside excessive inflammation, scar formation, and neovascularization. By contrast, corneas receiving H2-dissolved PBS showed suppression of both oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, with no detectable malondialdehyde or peroxynitrite expression, and healed with restored corneal transparency. These findings constitute the first reported evidence that molecular hydrogen can prevent oxidative and nitrosative stress cascades in UVB-damaged corneal tissue, suggesting a potential prophylactic role against corneal photodamage.

### Mechanism

H2 suppresses UVB-induced oxidative and nitrosative stress by reducing malondialdehyde accumulation and inhibiting peroxynitrite formation, thereby attenuating downstream corneal inflammation and preventing scar-associated neovascularization.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Cejka C, Kossl J, Hermankova B, Holan V, Kubinova S, Zhang JH, et al.
- **Journal**: Sci Rep
- **Year**: 2017 (2017-12-21)
- **PMID**: [29269749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29269749/)
- **DOI**: [10.1038/s41598-017-18334-6](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18334-6)
- **PMC**: [PMC5740126](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5740126/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: topical application
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (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)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 29269749. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/29269749
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [29269749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29269749/)