# Therapeutic Potential of Molecular Hydrogen in Metabolic Diseases from Bench to Bedside.
> 代謝疾患に対する分子状水素の可能性：基礎から臨床への展望


## Abstract

Oxidative stress and persistent low-grade inflammation are central to the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and obesity. This review consolidates pre-clinical and clinical findings on molecular hydrogen (H2), which was historically regarded as a biologically inert gas but has emerged over the past two decades as a candidate antioxidant agent. The authors systematically examine evidence for H2 effects across these conditions and explore multiple proposed mechanisms: canonical antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress, induction of autophagy, restoration of mitochondrial function, modulation of gut microbiota composition, and anti-apoptotic signaling. Putative molecular targets of H2 are also discussed. The review concludes that expanded high-quality clinical trials combined with deeper mechanistic investigation will be necessary before H2 can be routinely applied in clinical settings for metabolic disease management.

### Mechanism

H2 is proposed to act through selective scavenging of reactive oxygen species, suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling, attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, induction of autophagy, restoration of mitochondrial function, and modulation of gut microbiota composition.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Xie F, Song Y, Yi Y, Jiang X, Ma SN, Ma C, et al.
- **Journal**: Pharmaceuticals (Basel)
- **Year**: 2023 (2023-04-04)
- **PMID**: [37111299](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37111299/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/ph16040541](https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16040541)
- **PMC**: [PMC10141176](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10141176/)
- **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 37111299. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37111299
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [37111299](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37111299/)