Hydrogen Gas Protects Brain Cells in Parkinson's Disease Animal Studies
- Authors
- Kyota Fujita, Yasaku Nakabeppu, Mami Noda
- Journal
- Parkinsons Disease
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.4061/2011/307875
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Parkinson's Disease
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas can protect brain cells from damage in animals with Parkinson's disease by reducing harmful stress in those cells, which means it might help slow down or prevent this disease in people someday.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen reduced oxidative stress and protected dopamine-producing neurons in two animal models of Parkinson's disease, suggesting it may have therapeutic potential for this neurodegenerative condition.
Summary
This study examined whether molecular hydrogen (a gas) could protect brain cells in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Researchers used two different toxins to create Parkinson's-like symptoms in animals and found that hydrogen reduced oxidative stress (a type of cellular damage) and protected dopamine-producing neurons in a brain region called the nigrostriatal pathway, which is damaged in Parkinson's disease.
Practical Takeaway
While these animal study results are promising, they represent early-stage research and have not been tested in humans with Parkinson's disease. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered a viable treatment option for Parkinson's patients.
Abstract
Since the first description of Parkinson's disease (PD) nearly two centuries ago, a number of studies have revealed the clinical symptoms, pathology, and therapeutic approaches to overcome this intractable neurodegenerative disease. 1-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) are neurotoxins which produce Parkinsonian pathology. From the animal studies using these neurotoxins, it has become well established that oxidative stress is a primary cause of, and essential for, cellular apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons. Here, we describe the mechanism whereby oxidative stress evokes irreversible cell death, and propose a novel therapeutic strategy for PD using molecular hydrogen. Hydrogen has an ability to reduce oxidative damage and ameliorate the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway in two experimental animal models. Thus, it is strongly suggested that hydrogen might provide a great advantage to prevent or minimize the onset and progression of PD.