You have been inhaling hydrogen for such a long time. Do you know how hydrogen can help improve your health? In the final analysis, the therapeutic effect of hydrogen comes from its reducing property. When we inhale hydrogen, drink hydrogen water, or inject hydrogen saline, the main function of hydrogen entering the body is reduction, that is, eliminating excessive reactive oxygen in the body. Because the imbalance between excessive reactive oxygen (ROS) and the antioxidant system will lead to oxidative stress, which is the pathological cause of many diseases. In addition to directly neutralizing excessive reactive oxygen, hydrogen also participates in certain signaling pathways, because in research, when H2 is discharged from the human body, the biological and antioxidant effects in the human body continue. Next, let us sort out and learn about the mechanism of hydrogen's therapeutic effect.
1. Selective antioxidant effect
The most significant feature of hydrogen is the selective neutralization of harmful reactive oxygen (ROS), especially the hydroxyl free radicals (·OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻) that are highly damaging to cells, while having little effect on physiological ROS (such as H₂O₂, superoxide anions, etc.). This selective antioxidant effect can reduce oxidative stress, thereby indirectly inhibiting inflammatory responses.
Mechanism: Hydrogen molecules are small and highly penetrating, and can quickly diffuse into organelles (such as mitochondria and cell nuclei), directly remove harmful free radicals, and protect DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage.
2. Regulate inflammatory signaling pathways
Hydrogen inhibits the release of proinflammatory factors by regulating multiple inflammatory-related signaling pathways:
Inhibit NF-κB pathway: NF-κB is the core transcription factor of inflammatory response, and hydrogen can reduce its activation, thereby reducing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β.
Activate Nrf2 pathway: Hydrogen can activate Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2), promote the expression of antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase SOD, heme oxygenase HO-1), and enhance cellular antioxidant capacity.
Regulate MAPK pathway: Hydrogen may inhibit the activation of kinases such as p38 MAPK and JNK, and reduce inflammatory signal transduction.
3. Protect mitochondrial function
Mitochondria are the main source of ROS. Hydrogen can protect mitochondria in the following ways:
Reduce the decline of mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibit the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), and prevent cell apoptosis.
Improve mitochondrial energy metabolism, maintain ATP synthesis, and alleviate inflammation-related energy metabolism disorders.
4. Regulate immune cell activity
Hydrogen may affect the functions of various immune cells:
Macrophages: inhibit the polarization of M1 (pro-inflammatory) macrophages and promote the transformation of M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages.
Neutrophils: reduce excessive neutrophil infiltration and the formation of NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps).
T cells: regulate Th1/Th2 balance and inhibit excessive immune response.
5. Inhibit inflammasome activation
Hydrogen can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes, reduce the maturation and release of IL-1β and IL-18, and thus block the inflammatory cascade.
6. Regulate cell apoptosis and autophagy
Inhibit apoptosis: protect cell survival by reducing the activity of apoptosis-related enzymes such as caspase-3.
Promote autophagy: Moderately enhancing autophagy can remove damaged organelles and inflammatory mediators and reduce inflammation.
7. Regulate intestinal flora
Some studies have shown that hydrogen may reduce intestinal inflammation and systemic inflammatory response by regulating the composition of intestinal microorganisms (such as increasing the abundance of probiotics).