Neuroprotective Effects of Molecular Hydrogen via Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation Regulation in a 5xFAD Mouse Model.
Chaodeng Mo, Johny Bajgai, Md Habibur Rahman, Hui Ma, Thu Thao Pham, Haiyang Zhang, Buchan Cao, Eun-Sook Jeong, Cheol-Su Kim, Kyu-Jae Lee · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In mice, compared with WT-H₂ mice, 5xFAD-Veh mice exhibited increased BAX expression ( p < 0.05) and reduced BCL-2 expression, whereas H₂ treatment in 5xFAD-H₂ mice decreased BAX, increased BCL-2, and significantly reduced the BAX/BCL-2 ratio ( p < 0.05; Figure 5 A,G–I). These preclinical findings add evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential within the outcomes and biological pathways measured in this model.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how molecular hydrogen affected the outcomes measured in mice. Compared with WT-H₂ mice, 5xFAD-Veh mice exhibited increased BAX expression ( p < 0.05) and reduced BCL-2 expression, whereas H₂ treatment in 5xFAD-H₂ mice decreased BAX, increased BCL-2, and significantly reduced the BAX/BCL-2 ratio ( p < 0.05; Figure 5 A,G–I).
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied mice. The study used a preclinical animal experiment. The comparison condition was control condition or baseline measurements.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Source-reported hydrogen concentration: 2% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; Source-reported hydrogen exposure: 2% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; reported treatment duration: 4 weeks. Compared with WT-H₂ mice, 5xFAD-Veh mice exhibited increased BAX expression ( p < 0.05) and reduced BCL-2 expression, whereas H₂ treatment in 5xFAD-H₂ mice decreased BAX, increased BCL-2, and significantly reduced the BAX/BCL-2 ratio ( p < 0.05; Figure 5 A,G–I). The authors concluded that these findings indicate that H₂ inhalation confers multi-faceted neuroprotection in 5xFAD mice by restoring redox homeostasis, suppressing inflammation, improving mitochondrial function, and limiting Aβ accumulation. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has emerged as a candidate neuroprotective gas with selective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, although its efficacy in amyloid-driven pathology remains incompletely defined.
Why These Findings Matter
These preclinical findings add evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential within the outcomes and biological pathways measured in this model.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is preclinical animal evidence from a preclinical animal experiment. It is most informative for the disease model, mechanisms, biomarkers, and outcomes directly measured in the study.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as animal study with preclinical animal evidence. The research population or model was mice. The reported sample size was 4. The study used a preclinical animal experiment. The source-reported hydrogen concentration was 2% source-reported H₂ gas concentration. The reported treatment duration was 4 weeks.
Limitations and Safety
Safety information: A 2% H₂ concentration and the 4-week inhalation protocol were selected based on previous in vivo studies demonstrating their safety and efficacy in producing antioxidant and neuroprotective effects [ 30, 46, 47 ].
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.