General Research
Model: rat
Molecular hydrogen protects chondrocytes from oxidative stress and indirectly alters gene expressions through reducing peroxynitrite derived from nitric oxide
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How Hydrogen Gas May Help Keep Your Joints Healthy
Hydrogen gas may help protect the cells in our joints from damage caused by oxidative stress, potentially preventing or treating joint diseases like osteoarthritis. The study found that hydrogen gas reduces peroxynitrite, a harmful molecule that damages chondrocytes. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of hydrogen gas on joint health.
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Publish Year 2011 Country Japan Rank Positive Journal Medical Gas Research Primary Topic Bone Secondary TopicROS-Scavenging Model Cell Culture Tertiary TopicOxidative Stress Vehicle Medium (Dissolved) pH Neutral Application Culture Media Comparison Complement
Background
Methods: We treated cultured chondrocytes from porcine hindlimb cartilage or from rat meniscus fibrecartilage with a donor of NO•, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in the presence or absence of H2. Chondrocyte viability was determined using a LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit. Gene expressions of the matrix proteins of cartilage and the matrix metalloproteinases were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-coupled real-time PCR method.
Methods
Results: SNAP treatment increased the levels of nitrated proteins. H2 decreased the levels of the nitrated proteins, and suppressed chondrocyte death. It is known that the matrix proteins of cartilage (including aggrecan and type II collagen) and matrix metalloproteinases (such as MMP3 and MMP13) are down- and up-regulated by ONOO-, respectively. H2 restoratively increased the gene expressions of aggrecan and type II collagen in the presence of H2. Conversely, the gene expressions of MMP3 and MMP13 were restoratively down-regulated with H2. Thus, H2 acted to restore transcriptional alterations induced by ONOO-. Conclusions: These results imply that one of the functions of H2 exhibits cytoprotective effects and transcriptional alterations through reducing ONOO-. Moreover, novel pharmacological strategies aimed at selective removal of ONOO- may represent a powerful method for preventive and therapeutic use of H2 for joint diseases.