Jan Slezak*, Branislav Kura, Tyler W. LeBaron, Pawan K. Singal, Jozef Buday and Miroslav Barancik Pages 610 - 625 ( 16 )
There are many situations of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as radiation, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and inflammation. ROS contribute to and arises from numerous cellular pathologies, diseases, and aging. ROS can cause direct deleterious effects by damaging proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids as well as exert detrimental effects on several cell signaling pathways. However, ROS are important in many cellular functions. The injurious effect of excessive ROS can hypothetically be mitigated by exogenous antioxidants, but clinically this intervention is often not favorable. In contrast, molecular hydrogen provides a variety of advantages for mitigating oxidative stress due to its unique physical and chemical properties. H2 may be superior to conventional antioxidants, since it can selectively reduce ●OH radicals while preserving important ROS that are otherwise used for normal cellular signaling. Additionally, H2 exerts many biological effects, including antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-shock. H2 accomplishes these effects by indirectly regulating signal transduction and gene expression, each of which involves multiple signaling pathways and crosstalk. The Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, which can be activated by H2, plays a critical role in regulating cellular redox balance, metabolism, and inducing adaptive responses against cellular stress. H2 also influences the crosstalk among the regulatory mechanisms of autophagy and apoptosis, which involve MAPKs, p53, Nrf2, NF-κB, p38 MAPK, mTOR, etc. The pleiotropic effects of molecular hydrogen on various proteins, molecules and signaling pathways can at least partly explain its almost universal pluripotent therapeutic potential.
Oxidative stress, molecular hydrogen, Nrf2, inflammation, autophagy, MAPKs.
Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, 121 08 Prague 2, Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava