Selective antioxidative effect of hydrogen

Abstract

Selective antioxidation is the mechanism underlying the biological effect of hydrogen, which has been widely recognized. We cannot fully understand this mechanism until we are familiar with radicals, reactive oxygen species, and oxidative damage. In order to let the readers have a general understanding of free radical biology, this chapter provides knowledge which is closely related to the selective antioxidation of hydrogen. If someone wants to get a more comprehensive understanding of the free radical biology, references related to free radicals will be needed. People believe that free radicals or reactive oxygen species is a main source of sickness, which exaggerates the negative effects of free radicals or reactive oxygen species. In fact, the oxidative stress is crucial in maintaining the body’s normal function. There exist different types of free radicals or reactive oxygen species, most of which are beneficial to the body; only a small number of them that are highly reactive are key to the oxidative damage. Selective antioxidation and endogenous antioxidant are the most reliable means to resist oxidative damage. The finding of selective antioxidation and endogenous antioxidant of hydrogen will be two of the important achievements in the field of free radical biology.