Molecular Hydrogen: Redox Reactions and Possible Biological Interactions

Authors

  • John T. Hancock Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
  • Tyler W. LeBaron Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences of Comenius University, 84104 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Molecular Hydrogen Institute, Utah, USA; Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah 84720, USA
  • Grace Russell Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20455/ros.2021.m.803

Keywords:

Antioxidants; Heme oxygenase; Hydrogen gas; NADPH oxidase; Nitric oxide; Redox; Reactive oxygen species; Soluble guanylyl cyclase

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2), either as a gas or as hydrogen-rich water (HRW), is suggested to be a useful treatment for a range of human diseases and also to improve agricultural output. It is often posited that H2 accomplishes its biological action, in part, through its antioxidant effects, including reacting with hydroxyl radicals (OH˙) and peroxynitrite (ONOOˉ); however, this direct reaction has been questioned. The antioxidant effects of H2 are also often mediated by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), although the exact mechanism remains elusive. Alternatively, it has been proposed that H2 can propagate its effects through the reduction of Fe3+ in various redox-active proteins, which is the focus of this review. It is suggested that a systematic experimental analysis of proteins containing heme prosthetic groups would help elucidate the biological mechanisms of H2 and its development as a medical and restorative therapeutic.

(First online: May 10, 2021)

Downloads

Published

2021-05-10

How to Cite

Hancock, J. T., LeBaron, T. W., & Russell, G. (2021). Molecular Hydrogen: Redox Reactions and Possible Biological Interactions. Reactive Oxygen Species, 11, m17–m25. https://doi.org/10.20455/ros.2021.m.803