# Molecular Hydrogen Protects against Various Tissue Injuries from Side Effects of Anticancer Drugs by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.
> 分子状水素による抗がん剤副作用関連組織障害への保護効果：酸化ストレスおよび炎症の抑制を中心としたレビュー


## Abstract

Cytotoxic and molecularly targeted anticancer agents frequently cause severe adverse effects that restrict their clinical dosing. Existing mitigation strategies—including drug derivatives, analogues, liposomal formulations, and adjunct compounds—have shown limited success. This review comprehensively examines evidence that molecular hydrogen (H2) can protect multiple tissues from damage induced by cisplatin, oxaliplatin, doxorubicin, bleomycin, and gefitinib. H2 acts by directly scavenging highly reactive oxygen species and by modulating gene expression to produce antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic outcomes. Data from both animal models and clinical investigations are synthesized. Notably, H2 itself demonstrates intrinsic anticancer properties, suggesting that co-administration with conventional anticancer agents could simultaneously reduce adverse tissue effects and augment antitumor efficacy. The molecular mechanisms underlying these protective actions remain an active area of investigation.

### Mechanism

H2 directly neutralizes highly reactive oxygen species and indirectly suppresses oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis through modulation of gene expression, thereby reducing anticancer drug-induced tissue damage.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Hirano S, Takefuji Y
- **Journal**: Biomedicines
- **Year**: 2024 (2024-07-17)
- **PMID**: [39062164](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39062164/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/biomedicines12071591](https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071591)
- **PMC**: [PMC11274581](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11274581/)
- **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)

---

> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 39062164. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/39062164
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [39062164](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39062164/)