Background: Molecular hydrogen (H₂) has been recognized as an effective antioxidant with no or little side effects. While it is known that oxidative stress is closely associated with aging, the beneficial effect of H₂ on oxidative stress-related aging is still unclear. In this study, a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging was employed to investigate the protective effects of H₂.
Methods: The mice were administrated of H₂ via different routes (4% H₂ inhalation, H₂-rich water drinking, and H₂-rich saline injection), the aging-related biomarkers in plasma and the oxidative stress in different tissues were measured.
Results: The results showed that H₂ improved aging-related biomarkers, ie, total antioxidant capacity, advanced glycation end products, tumor necrosis factor-α, free fatty acids, and alanine aminotransferase in plasma. Furthermore, H₂ alleviated oxidative stress in the liver, brain, and heart by reducing the levels of lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde and increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase. In addition, it seems that 4% H₂ inhalation was the most effective regarding the amount of H₂ taken up and in reducing the markers of oxidative stress in some of the tissues; however, the other routes of administration resulted in the same efficacy in most indicators.
Conclusion: H₂ can prevent oxidative stress in D-galactose-induced aging mice when administered by different routes.
Keywords: molecular hydrogen, administration routes, oxidative stress, aging, D-galactose