Gut microbiota as a central mediator in hydrogen gas-induced alleviation of colitis via TLR4/NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway regulation.
Wei Shi, Mingyu Xi, Kaini Zhang, Jiaojiao Yang, Xi Cheng, Haojing Zang, Weiping Fan · International immunopharmacology · 2025
Research-use notice
Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
At the molecular level, H₂ inhalation suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and activated the Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant axis, leading to reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, alongside elevated antioxidant enzymes, collectively ameliorating colonic injury. This source-grounded publication contributes evidence relevant to molecular hydrogen and is retained in a transparent general research category when a more specific study design is not supported by the indexed record.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how molecular hydrogen was evaluated in this publication and summarizes the source-grounded findings below. At the molecular level, H₂ inhalation suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and activated the Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant axis, leading to reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, alongside elevated antioxidant enzymes, collectively ameliorating colonic injury.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Although hydrogen gas (H₂) has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in various diseases including IBD, its mechanisms of action, particularly its interaction with the gut microbiota, remain poorly characterized. This study reveals that H₂ inhalation effectively reversed dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced dysbiosis by suppressing the expansion of potential pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia-Shigella) and promoting potential beneficial microbes (e.g., Bacteroides and Lactobacillaceae), thereby restoring microbial homeostasis. H₂ inhalation enhanced goblet cell density and mucus production, upregulated tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin), and repaired intestinal barrier integrity. At the molecular level, H₂ inhalation suppressed the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and activated the Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant axis, leading to reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers, alongside elevated antioxidant enzymes, collectively ameliorating colonic injury.
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential within the biological process and outcomes directly measured in this publication and contribute to the growing body of molecular-hydrogen research.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
H2HUBB classifies this publication as other research and interprets only the outcomes directly supported by the source record.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as other research with other supported evidence.
Limitations and Safety
No separate limitations or safety findings were identified in the current-study source text available to H2HUBB.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.
What the Researchers Studied
The available source identifies this publication as other research. A more specific population or model was not separately reported in the source text available to H2HUBB.