# Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies on the protective effect of molecular hydrogen against nuclear electromagnetic pulse-induced brain damage.
> 核電磁パルス誘発性脳損傷に対する分子状水素の保護効果：トランスクリプトーム・メタボローム統合解析


## Abstract

Using a rat model exposed to nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP; field intensity 400 kV/m, 20 ns rise time, 200 ns pulse width), this study examined whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) administered from 3 days before exposure could reduce brain injury. Behavioral assessments one day post-exposure showed that NEMP-induced anxiety-like responses in the elevated plus maze and open field test were substantially reduced in HRW-treated animals. Histopathological examination at 7 days confirmed attenuation of neuronal damage in the hippocampus and amygdala. Transcriptomic profiling revealed marked disruption of microtubule-related gene expression following NEMP exposure. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis identified neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, the synaptic vesicle cycle, and glutathione metabolic pathways as central to both NEMP-induced damage and the protective action of molecular hydrogen.

### Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen scavenges intracellular hydroxyl radicals and modulates the glutathione metabolic pathway, exerting antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, regulation of the synaptic vesicle cycle and neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions appears to contribute to neuroprotection against NEMP-induced injury.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Ma L, Tian S, Zhang H, Wang J, Yan H, Hu X, et al.
- **Journal**: Front Public Health
- **Year**: 2023
- **PMID**: [36817910](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36817910/)
- **DOI**: [10.3389/fpubh.2023.1103022](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1103022)
- **PMC**: [PMC9929151](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9929151/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; 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 36817910. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/36817910
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [36817910](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36817910/)