Preconditioning with hydrogen gas produces cardioprotective effects through autophagy activation in rat cardiomyocytes.
Tokuhiro Yamada, Aya Kimura, Takashi Juri, Koichi Suehiro, Takashi Mori · BMC pharmacology & toxicology · 2025
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Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In rats, the H₂ group preserved ERK expression, whereas the CTRL and H₂ + 3-MA groups showed remarkably reduced ERK expression. *: statistical significance with p < 0.001 ( n = 8, N = 4 for each experimental group) ( D ) Changes in AKT expression after Ca 2+ stimulation. Regardless of the stimulation, H₂ gas inhalation preserved the ERK expression and ψm levels and increased autophagosomes and the LC3-II expression, but it did not affect the Akt expression. The authors linked these findings to activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway. 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 inhaled hydrogen gas affected the outcomes measured in rats. The H₂ group preserved ERK expression, whereas the CTRL and H₂ + 3-MA groups showed remarkably reduced ERK expression. *: statistical significance with p < 0.001 ( n = 8, N = 4 for each experimental group) ( D ) Changes in AKT expression after Ca 2+ stimulation.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied rats. The study used a preclinical animal experiment.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Source-reported hydrogen concentration: 3% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; Source-reported hydrogen exposure: 3% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; reported treatment duration: 60 min. The H₂ group preserved ERK expression, whereas the CTRL and H₂ + 3-MA groups showed remarkably reduced ERK expression. *: statistical significance with p < 0.001 ( n = 8, N = 4 for each experimental group) ( D ) Changes in AKT expression after Ca 2+ stimulation. The authors concluded that it may be feasible and effective as preventive intervention in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. CTRL: control; H₂: hydrogen; MA: methyladenine; LC: light chain; n: the number of experiments; N: the number of rats The preconditioning with inhaled H₂ gas confers a cardio-protective effect against oxidative stress, mediated through the activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, but not the PI3K/Akt, pathway. H₂ gas inhalation preserved the expression of upstream signaling molecules of ERK and LC3-II and the electrical potentials in the mitochondria. The authors linked these findings to activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway.
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 rats. The study used a preclinical animal experiment. The hydrogen delivery method was inhaled hydrogen gas. The source-reported hydrogen concentration was 3% source-reported H₂ gas concentration. The reported treatment duration was 60 min.
Limitations and Safety
Safety information: Preventive intervention with H₂ gas is valuable for ensuring feasibility and safety and has clinical significance in perioperative medicine, especially in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.