Hydrogen Therapy in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases: From Bench to Bedside

Abstract

Hydrogen (H 2 ) is colorless, odorless, and the lightest of gas molecules. Studies in the past ten years have indicated that H 2 is extremely important in regulating the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system and metabolic activity. Delivery of H 2 by various strategies improves cardiometabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, vascular injury, ischemic or hypertrophic ventricular remodeling, intermittent hypoxia- or heart transplantation-induced heart injury, obesity and diabetes in animal models or in clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to summarize the physical and chemical properties of H 2 , and then, the functions of H 2 with an emphasis on the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms involved in the diseases above. We hope this review will provide the future outlook of H 2 -based therapies for cardiometabolic disease.