01 Antioxidant effect Many pathogenic factors, whether physical (such as ionizing radiation, ultraviolet light), chemical (such as chemical toxins), biological (such as bacteria, viral infection and biological toxins released), or abnormal immunity (such as rheumatoid arthritis), can trigger the production of toxic ROS. Hydrogen, as an antioxidant small molecule, can selectively inhibit hydroxyl free radicals and peroxynitrite anions, thereby alleviating oxidative damage. Hydrogen-based antioxidants are formed by hydrogen atoms gaining an electron to form the smallest, lightest, and most superior strong antioxidants that can effectively remove excess free radicals in the body. It can play a role in various cells in the human body (including the five major barriers).
02 Anti-inflammatory effect Inflammation is one of the important causes of many diseases and sub-health conditions. Cancer is also considered to be a chronic uncontrollable inflammation. There is also a view that cancer is actually a long-lasting inflammatory wound. In 2001, Gharib et al. in France reported that inhaling high-concentration hydrogen cured liver inflammation caused by parasites, suggesting that hydrogen has anti-inflammatory properties. In 2013, Ishibashi et al. of Japan reported that hydrogen inhalation has a residual effect in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and the disease continued to improve 4 weeks after stopping hydrogen inhalation. Many cytological experiments have shown that cells are still resistant to attacks (such as toxins, radiation, damage, etc.) for a long time after hydrogen disappears from the culture system, indicating that the anti-inflammatory effect of H1 is persistent. The anti-inflammatory effect of hydrogen is mainly achieved by downregulating various pro-inflammatory and inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, intracellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, high mobility group box (HMGB)-1, nuclear factor (NF)-KB and prostaglandin (PG) E2.
03 Anti-apoptotic effect, protecting cells Apoptosis is programmed cell death, which is a slow and natural way for cells to die. Cell apoptosis and regeneration are balanced with each other. If there is too little apoptosis, the number of cells will continue to increase and tumors will form, but if there is too much apoptosis, the structure and function of organs will be damaged, diseases will form, and life functions will not be maintained. In 2017, Ge et al. in China reviewed the basic and clinical data on the ability of hydrogen to significantly reduce apoptosis caused by ischemia, infarction, poisoning, and inflammation, and to implement cell protection. The mechanism by which hydrogen inhibits apoptosis is mainly to inhibit the activity of Caspase-3 and -12. In addition, hydrogen can also inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and Bax, and upregulate the expression of anti-apoptotic factors and Bcl-2. In 2012, Hou et al. in China reported that hydrogen can activate anti-apoptotic protein kinase B in neurons and has a neuroprotective effect. In 2011, Nakai et al. in Japan summarized and reported that drinking hydrogen-rich water can change the functions of more than 100 biological molecules, thereby affecting the expression of more than 1,000 genes.
04 Regulating signal pathways Life is composed of matter (flesh), energy, and signals. Without the conduction, connection, and communication of information, the life process cannot proceed. Hydrogen can affect multiple signal pathways. As a gaseous signal modulator, the action of hydrogen involves a network of signaling molecules.