Hydrogen Nanoparticles Show Promise for Treating Alzheimer's Disease
- Authors
- Lei Zhang, Penghe Zhao, Caiping Yue, Zhaokui Jin, Qiong Liu, Xiubo Du, Qianjun He
- Journal
- Biomaterials
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.01.037
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Researchers have developed tiny nanoparticles that release hydrogen to effectively combat the damaging effects of oxidative stress in the brains of Alzheimer's disease mice, potentially improving their memory and cognitive functions.
Key Finding
Palladium hydride nanoparticles released hydrogen that selectively neutralized harmful free radicals in brain tissue and improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease mouse models.
Summary
Researchers developed tiny particles made of palladium and hydrogen that can release hydrogen slowly in the brain. In laboratory and mouse studies, these particles reduced harmful molecules called free radicals that damage brain cells in Alzheimer's disease, protected mitochondria (the energy centers of cells), and improved memory and thinking in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research conducted in cells and mice, not humans. While the results are promising for understanding how sustained hydrogen delivery might help Alzheimer's disease, many years of additional testing would be needed before this approach could be considered for human use. The study does not provide information about safety, dosage, or effectiveness in people.
Abstract
Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hydrogen molecule, a special antioxidant, can selectively scavenge highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species such as ·OH, exhibiting a potential to treat AD by reducing oxidative stress. However, there is no effective route to realize the continuous and efficient accumulation of administrated hydrogen in AD brain owing to its low solubility. Here, we develop the small-sized Pd hydride (PdH) nanoparticles for high payload of hydrogen and in situ sustained hydrogen release in AD brain. By virtue of the catalytic hydrogenation effect of Pd, the released hydrogen from PdH nanoparticles exhibits high bio-reductivity in favor of effectively scavenging cytotoxic ·OH in a self-catalysis way. Bio-reductive hydrogen is able to recover mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibit Aβ generation and aggregation, block synaptic and neuronal apoptosis and promote neuronal energy metabolism by eliminating oxidative stress and activating the anti-oxidative pathway, consequently ameliorating the cognitive impairment in AD mice. The proposed hydrogen-releasing nanomedicine strategy would open a new window for the treatment of AD.