title: Hydrogen as a new class of radioprotective agent.
abstract: It is well known that most of the ionizing radiation-induced damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals (·OH) follows radiolysis of H2O. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has antioxidant activities by selectively reducing ·OH and peroxynitrite(ONOO-). We firstly hypothesized and demonstrated the radioprotective effect of H2 in vitro and in vivo, which was also repeated on different experimental animal models by different departments. A randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that consumption of hydrogen-rich water reduces the biological reaction to radiation-induced oxidative stress without compromising anti-tumor effects. These encouraging results suggested that H2 represents a potentially novel preventative strategy for radiation-induced oxidative injuries. H2 is explosive. Therefore, administration of hydrogen-rich solution (physiological saline/pure water/other solutions saturated with H2) may be more practical in daily life and more suitable for daily consumption. This review focuses on major scientific and clinical advances of hydrogen-rich solution/H2 as a new class of radioprotective agent.
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Haematology, Navy General Hospital, Fucheng Road, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Liren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Jianliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yunhai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chuai
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D006859:Hydrogen
keywords: Hydrogen; free radical; radiation; radioprotection.