IMR Press / RCM / Volume 25 / Issue 1 / DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2501033
Open Access Review
Effects of Molecular Hydrogen in the Pathophysiology and Management of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
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1 Halberg Hospital and Research Institute, 244001 Moradabad, India
2 Pharmacobiochemical Laboratory of 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
3 Era Medical College, Era University, 226003 Lucknow, India
4 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 833 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
5 Department of Gerontology and Geriatric, PJ Safarik University, 040 86 Kosice, Slovakia
6 Drink HRW, Vancouver, BC 93030, Canada
7 Department of Food Biotechnology and Chemistry, Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
8 Center of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 841 04 Bratislava, Slovakia
*Correspondence: branislav.kura@savba.sk (Branislav Kura); jan.slezak@savba.sk (Jan Slezak)
Rev. Cardiovasc. Med. 2024, 25(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.rcm2501033
Submitted: 29 May 2023 | Revised: 8 August 2023 | Accepted: 23 August 2023 | Published: 22 January 2024
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Diet and lifestyle choices, notably the Western-type diet, are implicated in oxidative stress and inflammation, factors that elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In contrast, the Mediterranean of diet, rich in antioxidants, appears to have protective effects against these risks. This article highlights the dual role of diet in generating molecular hydrogen (H2) in the gut, and H2’s subsequent influence on the pathophysiology and prevention of CVD and T2DM. Dietary fiber, flavonoids, and probiotics contribute to the production of liters of H2 in the gut, functioning as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and dampen inflammation. In the last two decades, mounting evidence has demonstrated that both endogenously produced and exogenously administered H2, whether via inhalation or H2-rich water (HRW), have potent anti-inflammatory effects across a wide range of biochemical and pathophysiological processes. Recent studies indicate that H2 can neutralize hydroxyl and nitrosyl radicals, acting as a cellular antioxidant, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation—leading to a significant decline in CVDs and metabolic diseases. Clinical and experimental research support the therapeutic potential of H2 interventions such as HRW in managing CVDs and metabolic diseases. However, larger studies are necessary to verify the role of H2 therapy in the management of these chronic diseases.

Keywords
antioxidant
free radical stress
endothelial dysfunction
dyslipidemia
diet
molecular hydrogen
inflammation
Funding
APVV-15-0376/Slovak Research and Development Agency
APVV-19-0317/Slovak Research and Development Agency
2/0092/22/Slovak Academy of Sciences
2/0063/18/Slovak Academy of Sciences
2/0148/22/Slovak Academy of Sciences
ITMS 26230120009/European Union Structural funds
2018/7838:1-26C0/European Union Structural funds (ITMS 26230120009)
2019/4-CEMSAV-1/Ministry of Health of The Slovak Republic
ITMS2014+: 313011AVG3/Ministry of Health of The Slovak Republic
Figures
Fig. 1.
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