scholarly journals HYDROGEN: THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN WELLNESS AND MEDICINE

Author(s):  
M. Lemaire, ◽  
F. Barbier

Persistent oxidative stress plays an important role in a variety of pathologies, and the search for an effective and well tolerated antioxidant agent continues. Molecular hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. The non-specific mechanism of hydrogen as a therapeutic antioxidant gives it broad therapeutic potential across a wide range of medical applications, as has been shown by a substantial volume of preclinical data, as well as a growing body of clinical evidence. This review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of hydrogen, in ageing and wellness applications as well as medical applications, including acute ischemia/reperfusion injury, inflammation and ulceration, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer (anti-cancer effects, radiation toxicities, and side effects of cisplatin) with an emphasis on clinical data. Overall, this review shows that hydrogen is an effective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agent.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Yang ◽  
Huan Yu ◽  
Ajiao Hou ◽  
Wenjing Man ◽  
Song Wang ◽  
...  

The product investigated herein is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. [Asteraceae] (Baizhu), which is also known as Dongbaizhu, Wuzhu, Yuzhu, Zhezhu, and Zhongzhu, among others. It invigorates the spleen, replenishes qi, and removes dampness, diuresis, and hidroschesis, and impacts fetal safety. It is often used for the treatment of diseases such as spleen function deficiency, abdominal distension, diarrhea, sputum, vertigo, edema, fever, and sweating and also aids cessation of minimal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. In this study, research pertaining to the ethnopharmacology, application, phytochemistry, analytical methods, quality control, processing, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of Baizhu has been reviewed. Relevant information and data reported for Baizhu were collected from CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, scientific databases, Chinese Medicinal Material Encyclopedia, Chinese herbal medicine classics, Chinese medicine dictionary, doctoral and master’s theses, and so on. Baizhu demonstrates diuretic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory effects and antitumor function and aids regulation of gastrointestinal function, hypoglycemic effect, analgesic action, protection on the liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats, inhibition of aromatase, treatment of bone disease, strengthening myocardial contraction ability, detoxification and cholagogic effect, fall hematic fat action, such as the treatment of acute renal injury, and so on. It also can be an anticoagulant, improve the nervous system disease, affect the immune system, and regulate uterine smooth muscle, antioxidation, antiaging, and antibacterial effect. Sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, steroids, benzoquinones, polysaccharides, and other compounds were isolated from Baizhu. Among them, sesquiterpenoids, polysaccharides, and polyacetylenes are the main components of Baizhu. Baizhu exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects and constitutes a considerable proportion of the composition of many proprietary crude drugs. It mainly affects the endocrine, nervous, and urinary systems. The presented information suggests that we should focus on the development of new drugs related to Baizhu, including specific components, to achieve a greater therapeutic potential that can be considered to further explore the information related to Baizhu.


Author(s):  
Irina Tikhomirova ◽  
Alexei Muravyov

this review summarizes current knowledge of the hydrogen sulfide role in cardiovascular system, the proposed mechanisms of its action and the prospects for its applicability in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen sulfide was recently recognized as gasotransmitter – simple signaling molecule which freely penetrates the cell membrane and regulates a number of biological functions. In humans endogenous H2S is generated via enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways and its content varies in different tissues and is strictly regulated. In cardiovascular system H2S is produced by myocardial, vascular and blood cells and regulates a number of vital functions. Numerous experimental data prove that endogenously generated as well as exogenously administered H2S exerts a wide range of actions in cardiovascular system, including vasodilator/vasoconstrictor effects, regulation of blood pressure, pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in the vascular smooth muscle cells, influence on angiogenesis and erythropoiesis, myocardial cytoprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury, oxygen sensing, inhibition of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, modification of erythrocyte microrheological properties (aggregability and deformability). Understanding of molecular mechanisms of H2S action and molecular crosstalk between H2S, NO, and CO is essential for the development of its diagnostic and therapeutic potential.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo Jin Shin ◽  
Kang Luo ◽  
Yi Quan ◽  
Eun Jeong Ko ◽  
Byung Ha Chung ◽  
...  

Background: Klotho treatment is a promising approach against kidney injury, but its clinical application is still undetermined. We developed a novel strategy to allow self-production of Klotho protein, using minicircle (MC) technology, and evaluated its feasibility in therapeutic Klotho delivery. Methods: We engineered MC vectors to carry cassette sequences of Klotho and verified the self-production of Klotho protein from in HEK293T cells. We evaluated the location and persistence of delivered MC in vivo, and the duration of Klotho protein production from MCs by serial measurement of Klotho protein in blood. We subsequently evaluated the therapeutic potential of Klotho-encoding MCs in experimental model of renal injury. Results: We confirmed the production of Klotho from MC by its significant availability in cells transfected with the MC, as well as in its conditioned medium, compared to that in cells transfected with parent vector. MCs were delivered in vivo by hydrodynamic injection via tail vein. After a single injection of MCs, red fluorescence protein was detected until 30 days in liver, and Klotho protein was maintained until 10 days in the blood, suggesting the production of Klotho protein from MCs via protein synthesis machinery in liver. Therapeutic effect of MC was confirmed by functional and histological improvement seen in mouse model of acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and unilateral ureteral obstruction. Conclusion: Together, these findings implied that self-generated Klotho protein, using MC technology, is functionally active and relevant as a therapeutic approach in renal injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Liu ◽  
Chang Chun Ling ◽  
Wai Ho Oscar Yeung ◽  
Li Pang ◽  
Jiang Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractTumor recurrence is the major obstacle for pushing the envelope of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The inflammatory cascades activated by acute liver graft injury promote tumor recurrence. We aimed to explore the role and mechanism of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) mobilization induced by liver graft injury on tumor recurrence. By analyzing 331 HCC patients who received liver transplantation, the patients with graft weight ratio (GWR, the weight of liver graft divided by the estimated standard liver weight of recipient) <60% had higher tumor recurrence than GWR ≥60% ones. MDSCs and CXCL10/TLR4 levels were significantly increased in patients with GWR <60% or tumor recurrence. These findings were further validated in our rat orthotopic liver transplantation model. In CXCL10−/− and TLR4−/− mice of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury plus major hepatectomy (IRH) model, monocytic MDSCs, instead of granulocytic MDSCs, were significantly decreased. Importantly, CXCL10 deficiency reduced the accumulation of TLR4+ monocytic MDSCs, and CXCL10 increased MDSC mobilization in the presence of TLR4. Moreover, MMP14 was identified as the key molecule bridging CXCL10/TLR4 signaling and MDSC mobilization. Knockout or inhibition of CXCL10/TLR4 signaling significantly reduced the tumor growth with decreased monocytic MDSCs and MMP14 in the mouse tumor recurrent model. Our data indicated that monocytic MDSCs were mobilized and recruited to liver graft during acute phase injury, and to promote HCC recurrence after transplantation. Targeting MDSC mobilization via CXCL10/TLR4/MMP14 signaling may represent the therapeutic potential in decreasing post-transplant liver tumor recurrence.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yina Ma ◽  
Xiaoyue Hu ◽  
Daniel Pfau ◽  
Xiaohong Wu ◽  
Veena Rao ◽  
...  

Background: D-dopachrome tautomerase (DDT), the only homolog of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), is a cytokine highly expressed in cardiomyocytes and exerts autocrine-paracrine effects by signaling through the CD74 receptor. Endogenous DDT and MIF prevent acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and pressure overload-induced heart failure in mice. This study investigated whether endogenous cardiomyocyte DDT has a role in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Methods: LV tissue was obtained from patients with ICM during heart transplantation and from non-transplanted donor hearts. Plasma DDT concentrations were measured in heart failure outpatients with ICM. Cardiomyocyte-specific DDT knockout (cKO) and littermate control (CON) mice underwent MI or sham surgery. Serial echocardiography was performed to assess LV remodeling after MI or sham surgery. Tissue from the non-infarct region was analyzed 3 days and 4 weeks after MI or sham surgery for histology and molecular studies. Results: Cardiac DDT mRNA and protein expression were reduced in LV from patients transplanted for ICM (n=8). Plasma DDT concentrations below the median value were associated with worse survival in ICM outpatients (p<0.05, n=32). In mice, baseline LV function was similar in DDT cKO and CON after sham surgery and 3 days post-MI. However, DDT cKO mice developed more rapid LV dilatation and decreased LV ejection fraction and stroke volume as early as 1-week post-MI (n=4-6/group, all P<0.05). The DDT cKO mice had smaller cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area 4 weeks after MI (p <0.05), as well as early diminished phosphorylation of mTOR and S6-kinase (3 days post-MI). They also showed increased apoptosis 3 days post-MI and an early increase in p38 MAP kinase activation. Conclusion: Cardiomyocyte-derived DDT prevents adverse cardiac remodeling in ICM, potentially through modulating mTOR/S6 kinase (adaptive hypertrophy) and p38 MAP kinase (limiting apoptosis). Down-regulation of DDT in patients with ICM may contribute to the pathogenesis of advanced heart failure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqi Shen ◽  
Zhuqing Shen ◽  
Shanshan Luo ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Yi Zhun Zhu

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as a third gaseous mediator along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), though it was originally considered as a malodorous and toxic gas. H2S is produced endogenously from cysteine by three enzymes in mammalian tissues. An increasing body of evidence suggests the involvement of H2S in different physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have shown that H2S has the potential to protect the heart against myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertrophy, fibrosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Some mechanisms, such as antioxidative action, preservation of mitochondrial function, reduction of apoptosis, anti-inflammatory responses, angiogenic actions, regulation of ion channel, and interaction with NO, could be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of H2S. Although several mechanisms have been identified, there is a need for further research to identify the specific molecular mechanism of cardioprotection in different cardiac diseases. Therefore, insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying H2S action in the heart may promote the understanding of pathophysiology of cardiac diseases and lead to new therapeutic targets based on modulation of H2S production.


Author(s):  
N. V. Grudinin ◽  
V. K. Bogdanov ◽  
M. G. Sharapov ◽  
N. S. Bunenkov ◽  
N. P. Mozheiko ◽  
...  

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is an antioxidant enzyme in the human body that performs a number of important functions in the cell. Prdx6 restores a wide range of peroxide substrates, thus playing a leading role in maintaining redox homeostasis in mammalian cells. In addition to peroxidase activity, Prdx6 has an activity of phospholipase A2, thus taking part in membrane phospholipid metabolism. Due to its peroxidase and phospholipase activity, Prdx6 participates in intracellular and intercellular signal transmission, thereby facilitating the initiation of regenerative processes in the cell, suppression of apoptosis and activation of cell proliferation. Given the functions performed, Prdx6 can effectively deal with oxidative stress caused by various factors, including ischemia-reperfusion injury. On an animal model of rat heterotopic heart transplantation, we showed the cardioprotective potential of exogenous recombinant Prdx6, introduced before transplantation and subsequent reperfusion injury of the heart. It has been demonstrated that exogenous Prdx6 effectively alleviates the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart by 2–3 times, providing normalization of its structural and functional state during heterotopic transplantation. The use of recombinant Prdx6 can be an effective approach in preventing/alleviating ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart, as well as in maintaining an isolated heart during transplantation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui-Ling Lee ◽  
Po-Cheng Chang ◽  
Hung-Ta Wo ◽  
Hao-Tien Liu ◽  
Ming-Shien Wen ◽  
...  

Aims: Whether therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is proarrhythmic in preexisting failing hearts with acute ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury is unknown. Additionally, the effectiveness of rotigaptide on improving conduction slowing in hearts with IR injury is ambiguous. We investigated the electrophysiological effects of TH and rotigaptide in failing rabbit hearts with acute IR injury and determined the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods and Results: Heart failure was induced by right ventricular pacing (320 beats/min, 4 weeks). Rabbits with pacing-induced heart failure were randomly divided into TH (n = 14) and non-TH (n = 7) groups. The IR rabbit model was created by ligating the coronary artery for 60 min, followed by reperfusion for 15 min in vivo. Then, the hearts were excised quickly and Langendorff-perfused for simultaneous voltage and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) optical mapping. Electrophysiological studies were conducted, and vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation (VF) was evaluated using pacing protocols. TH (33°C) was instituted after baseline studies, and electrophysiological studies were repeated. Rotigaptide (300 nM) was infused for 20 min, and electrophysiological studies were repeated under TH. Cardiac tissues were sampled for Western blotting. TH increased the dispersion and beat-to-beat variability of action potential duration (APD), aggravated conduction slowing, and prolonged Cai decay to facilitate spatially discordant alternans (SDA) and VF induction. Rotigaptide reduced the dispersion and beat-to-beat variability of APD and improved slowed conduction to defer the onset of arrhythmogenic SDA by dynamic pacing and elevate the pacing threshold of VF during TH. However, the effect of rotigaptide on TH-enhanced VF inducibility was statistically insignificant. TH attenuated IR-induced dysregulation of protein expression, but its functional role remained uncertain.Conclusion: Therapeutic hypothermia is proarrhythmic in failing hearts with acute IR injury. Rotigaptide improves TH-induced APD dispersion and beat-to-beat variability and conduction disturbance to defer the onset of arrhythmogenic SDA and elevate the VF threshold by dynamic pacing, but these beneficial electrophysiological effects are unable to suppress TH-enhanced VF inducibility significantly.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Mingxuan Chi ◽  
Kuai Ma ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Zhaolun Ding ◽  
Yunlong Li ◽  
...  

The human gut microbiota is a complex cluster composed of 100 trillion microorganisms, which holds a symbiotic relationship with the host under normal circumstances. Intestinal flora can facilitate the treatment of human metabolic dysfunctions and interact with the intestinal tract, which could influence intestinal tolerance, immunity, and sensitivity to inflammation. In recent years, significant interests have evolved on the association of intestinal microbiota and kidney diseases within the academic circle. Abnormal changes in intestinal microbiota, known as dysbiosis, can affect the integrity of the intestinal barrier, resulting in the bacterial translocation, production, and accumulation of dysbiotic gut-derived metabolites, such as urea, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS). These processes lead to the abnormal activation of immune cells; overproduction of antibodies, immune complexes, and inflammatory factors; and inflammatory cell infiltration that can directly or indirectly cause damage to the renal parenchyma. The aim of this review is to summarize the role of intestinal flora in the development and progression of several renal diseases, such as lupus nephritis, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, and renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further research on these mechanisms should provide insights into the therapeutic potential of regulating intestinal flora and intervening related molecular targets for the abovementioned nephropathy.


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