A New Approach for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders. Molecular Hydrogen Significantly Reduces the Effects of Oxidative Stress.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death and disability globally, with redox imbalance and inflammatory dysregulation as central pathological drivers. This review examines preclinical and clinical evidence for molecular hydrogen across a range of cardiovascular conditions, including radiation-induced cardiac injury, ischemia-reperfusion damage, myocardial and cerebral infarction, cardiac preservation, and heart transplantation. Hydrogen is delivered via inhalation, oral hydrogen-rich water, or hydrogen-rich saline injection. Its biological actions include suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, attenuation of excess reactive oxygen species, and activation of the Nrf2 antioxidant transcription factor, collectively modulating signal transduction and gene expression. Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties have been documented, though precise mechanistic pathways remain incompletely characterized. No clinical toxicity has been reported, and a mild hormetic-like response may partly account for observed benefits. The cumulative evidence suggests potential utility of hydrogen in ROS- and inflammation-driven cardiac pathology.

Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production and excess reactive oxygen species while activating the Nrf2 antioxidant transcription factor, thereby modulating downstream signal transduction and gene expression to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.