The Emergence, Development, and Future Mission of Hydrogen Medicine and Biology

Molecular hydrogen (H2) has emerged as a promising therapeutic and preventive medical gas. In 2007, we overturned the conventional concept that H2 had no effect on mammalian cells, leading to the emergence of the field of “hydrogen medicine and biology”. H2 has numerous advantages, including high efficacy, lack of adverse effects, and multiple functions, such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-cell death, and energy metabolism stimulation. Moreover, H2 is beneficial from healthy individuals to severe chronic and acute diseases. The target molecule of H2 was identified as the oxidized form of porphyrins, subsequent hydride form acts as a catalyst to stimulate the selective reaction of H2 with hydroxyl radical. Various species of porphyrins are widely and abundantly distributed throughout the body. Thus, repairing the oxidized porphyrins by H2 may result in multiple benefits across various cells. H2 suppresses the free radical chain reaction and modifies signaling mediators involved in lipid peroxides. H2 indirectly regulates hormones and cytokines through various signal transduction pathways. H2 has the potential to address a wide range of issues, including cardiac arrest, Alzheimer's-type dementia, metabolic syndrome, advanced-stage of cancer, inflammatory cytokine storms, healthcare, beauty, and agriculture. The mission of H2 medicine is to overcome these unsolved ailments.