# Molecular hydrogen attenuates methamphetamine-induced behavioral sensitization and activation of ERK-ΔFosB signaling in the mouse nucleus accumbens.
> 水素分子はメタンフェタミン誘発行動感作およびマウス側坐核におけるERK-ΔFosBシグナル活性化を抑制する


## Abstract

Using a mouse model of methamphetamine (METH)-induced behavioral sensitization, this study examined whether hydrogen-rich saline (HRS; 10 mL/kg, i.p.) could modulate the acquisition and transfer of sensitized locomotor responses. Male C57BL/6 mice received METH at 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/kg for 7 days, followed by a 7-day transfer period and a subsequent challenge injection. HRS administered at 3-hour intervals during both periods partially suppressed behavioral sensitization at the 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg doses. Accompanying molecular changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), specifically elevated phosphorylated ERK and ΔFosB levels, were also reduced by HRS. Additionally, METH-driven increases in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde in the NAc were attenuated, consistent with the antioxidant properties of molecular hydrogen. HRS alone produced no detectable alterations in baseline locomotor activity.

### Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen exerts antioxidant effects by reducing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde accumulation in the nucleus accumbens, thereby dampening ERK phosphorylation and ΔFosB upregulation that underlie METH-induced behavioral sensitization.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Wen D, Hui R, Liu Y, Luo YX, Wang J, Shen XL, et al.
- **Journal**: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
- **Year**: 2020 (2020-03-08)
- **PMID**: [31629777](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629777/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109781](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.109781)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: injection / infusion
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% 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)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 31629777. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/31629777
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [31629777](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629777/)