General Research Model: human

Hydrogen (H 2) Alleviates Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting Apoptosis and Inflammation via the JNK Signaling Pathway

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How Hydrogen Gas May Help Ease Osteoarthritis Symptoms

A recent study found that hydrogen gas may help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and preventing cell death. The study used mice and found that inhaling hydrogen gas inhibited the JNK signaling pathway, a key player in inflammation. While more research is needed, the findings are promising and could lead to a new treatment for osteoarthritis.

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Abstract

Publish Year 2021 Country China Rank Positive Journal Journal of Inflammation Research Primary Topic Bone Secondary TopicOsteoarthritis Model Mouse Tertiary TopicInflammation Vehicle Gas pH N/A Application Inhalation Comparison Complement

Background

Methods: The chondrocytes were obtained from the human cartilage tissues. Cells were stimulated by TBHP and treated with hydrogen. In vitro treatment effects were evaluated by Western blot assay, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and TUNEL method. We conducted mice model of destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) and treated with hydrogen. In vivo treatment effects were evaluated by X-ray imaging assay, safranin O (SO) staining, TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical assay.

Methods

Results: Our results showed that hydrogen can inhibit inflammatory factors (ADAMTS5 and MMP13) and apoptosis factors (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, and Bax) in TBHP-induced chondrocytes. Furthermore, hydrogen can suppress the activation of JNK signaling pathway, whereas the effect of hydrogen can be abolished by anisomycin (a JNK activator). In vivo results showed that hydrogen can down-regulate the expression of p-JNK and cleaved caspase-3 expression.

Results

Conclusion: We uncovered that hydrogen (H2) could alleviate apoptosis response and ECM degradation in human chondrocytes via inhibiting the activation of the JNK signaling pathway. Meanwhile, in the surgically-induced DMM mice model, treatment with hydrogen (H2) performed a significant role in OA progression.