# Prospects of molecular hydrogen in perioperative neuroprotection from basic research to clinical application.
> 周術期神経保護における分子状水素の基礎研究から臨床応用への展望


## Abstract

This systematic review consolidates findings from both basic science and clinical investigations concerning the neuroprotective properties of molecular hydrogen across various central nervous system conditions relevant to the perioperative setting. Hydrogen has attracted considerable interest as a candidate agent for protecting neural tissue during and after surgery. Evidence from experimental models indicates that hydrogen exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and mitochondria-preserving effects in the context of neurological disease pathophysiology. Despite these encouraging findings, the clinical efficacy of hydrogen in preventing or mitigating neural injury remains inconclusive, largely because large-scale randomized controlled trials are still lacking. The authors highlight the gap between preclinical promise and clinical validation, underscoring the need for well-designed human studies before hydrogen can be routinely considered in perioperative neurological care.

### Mechanism

Hydrogen is proposed to protect neural cells by scavenging reactive oxygen species, suppressing inflammatory signaling cascades, inhibiting apoptotic pathways, and preserving mitochondrial integrity in the setting of central nervous system injury.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Wang Z, Wang G, Xie K
- **Journal**: Curr Opin Anaesthesiol
- **Year**: 2020
- **PMID**: [32826628](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32826628/)
- **DOI**: [10.1097/ACO.0000000000000915](https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000000915)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: mixed routes
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; 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 32826628. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/32826628
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [32826628](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32826628/)