Hydrogen Gas Reactivity with Free Radicals in Lab Tests
ONOOH does not react with H2: Potential beneficial effects of H2 as an antioxidant by selective reaction with hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Cardiovascular System · Brain & Nervous System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Jelle Penders, Reinhard Kissner, Willem H. Koppenol
- Journal
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2014
- PMID
- 25086438
- Study Type
- Molecular Assay
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Switzerland
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas (H2) does not seem to directly reduce damage from certain types of oxidative stress as previously thought, because it does not effectively neutralize harmful molecules or restore iron-containing compounds in the body.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas does not directly react with peroxynitrite or reduce iron-containing proteins, contradicting previously proposed mechanisms for how H2 acts as an antioxidant.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas (H2) works as an antioxidant by directly neutralizing harmful molecules called hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. Using laboratory tests, they found that H2 does not react with peroxynitrite and does not reduce iron-containing proteins as previously thought. This challenges earlier explanations for how H2 might provide health benefits in conditions involving tissue damage from lack of oxygen.
Practical Takeaway
This laboratory study suggests that if hydrogen water does have beneficial effects, they likely work through different biological pathways than scientists previously believed. However, this is a basic science study in test tubes, not human research, so it doesn't prove whether hydrogen water is or isn't helpful—only that the proposed explanations need revision.
Abstract (excerpt)
H2 has been suggested to act as an antioxidant when administered just before the reperfusion phase of induced oxidative stress. These effects have been reported, for example, for the heart, brain, and liver. It is hypothesized that this beneficial effect may be due to selective scavenging of HO⋅…