分子状水素の作用機序・投与方法・予防および疾患への応用に関する総説
Molecular hydrogen (H₂), the smallest known gas molecule, readily crosses cell membranes and distributes throughout biological tissues with high bioavailability. It can be supplied exogenously via multiple routes or generated endogenously in the gastrointestinal tract. This review systematically examines H₂'s mechanisms of action and summarizes current delivery strategies. Special attention is given to intestinal conditions—including inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and colorectal cancer—alongside broader applications in other pathological states. The authors identify persistent clinical delivery challenges and propose nanoplatform-based approaches as potential solutions. Additionally, interactions between H₂ and the gut microbiota are highlighted as a promising avenue for elucidating intestinal disease mechanisms. The review calls for future studies to investigate synergistic effects with established interventions and to develop individualized protocols aligned with precision medicine principles.
H₂ selectively scavenges highly reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, modulates inflammatory signaling, and suppresses apoptotic pathways, thereby exerting cytoprotective effects across multiple organ systems.
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:
https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/40297245