Hydrogen Nanoparticles Show Promise for Glaucoma Treatment
- Authors
- Ya-Xuan Zhu, Jiamin Liu, Xinyao Yu, Liping Li, Lifang Bai, Ying Long, Yunhao Chen, Xinghuai Sun, Han Lin, Yuan Lei, Jianlin Shi
- Journal
- ACS Nano
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1021/acsnano.6c01611
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Glaucoma
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
A hydrogen-releasing silicene nanosheet reduced oxidative stress and intraocular pressure in glaucoma models, suggesting a potential ocular delivery approach that targets both pressure and redox-related tissue injury.
Key Finding
A hydrogen-releasing nanoparticle system reduced intraocular pressure and oxidative stress in mouse models of glaucoma while showing no toxic effects on eye tissue.
Summary
Researchers developed a tiny nanoparticle system that releases hydrogen gas slowly in the eye to treat glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve and causes blindness. In mouse studies, this hydrogen-releasing system reduced eye pressure and decreased harmful molecules (oxidative stress) and inflammation in eye tissue, while showing no toxic effects on the eye.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, not yet tested in humans. While the results suggest hydrogen delivery via nanoparticles may have potential for glaucoma treatment, many years of additional testing would be needed before any clinical application. Current glaucoma treatments remain the standard of care.
Abstract
Glaucoma-induced optic nerve damage is known to be a leading cause of blindness worldwide, yet current therapies mainly focus on reducing intraocular pressure without paying significant attention to the oxidative stress and inflammation in ocular tissues. Here, we address this issue by developing a self-adaptive two-dimensional nanosheet that enables sustained hydrogen release in the ocular microenvironment. The nanoagent (termed HyNDs) is constructed by modifying the surface of hydrogenated silicene (SiH), a biocompatible nanosheet that self-decomposes to generate hydrogen under physiological conditions, with d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) polymer. HyNDs exhibit excellent dispersity, making them suitable for ocular delivery, while the TPGS coating ensures prolonged hydrogen release through its shielding effect. We demonstrate that HyNDs can efficiently scavenge oxidative radicals and downregulate the expression of oxidative stress-associated biomarkers in both cellular and animal models, contributing to significantly reduced intraocular pressure. Additionally, the nanoagent exhibits negligible cytotoxicity and adverse effects on ocular tissues. This hydrogen-based therapeutic approach features a dual mechanism of intraocular pressure reduction and oxidative stress mitigation, thereby exhibiting attractive promise for advancing the clinical management of glaucoma.