Regulation of Myocardial MicroRNAs by Molecular Hydrogen Contributes to the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Injury

Radiation represents an environmental factorEnvironmental factors that can adversely affect the heart and the vasculature. Depending on the dose and time, radiation-induced heart injuryRadiation-induced heart injury may evolve, as is well documented e. g. in long-term cancerCancer survivors previously treated with radiotherapyRadiotherapy. Oxidative stressOxidative stress induced by irradiation damages endothelial and myocardial cells. An inflammatory response is induced by cytokine release from dysfunctional endothelium and from injured irradiated cells which activate defense mechanisms. At later stages, the heart responds to radiation injury among others, by promoting cardiac hypertrophy and remodelingRemodeling to compensate for impaired cardiac function, eventually leading toMyocardial microRNA heart failureHeart failure. MicroRNAsMicroRNA (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules participating in the regulation of different cellular processes. miRNAs dysregulation has been associated with various disease states, including adverse cardiac remodelingCardiac remodeling and toxicity. An increasing number of studies demonstrate the possible application of molecular hydrogenMolecular hydrogen in various diseases. This small non-toxic molecule represents an effective antioxidantAntioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-fibrotic properties. However, the exact mechanisms of hydrogen action are still not fully clarified. Available literature points to the possible implication of miRNAs in the preventive effects of molecular hydrogen, including radiation-induced heart injuryRadiation-induced heart injury. To confirm these assumptions, further studies are needed, as the research in this area is still in its infancy.