Vitamin E supplementation modifies adaptive responses to training in rat skeletal muscle

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to test, by vitamin E treatment, the hypothesis that muscle adaptive responses to training are mediated by free radicals produced during the single exercise sessions. Therefore, we determined aerobic capacity of tissue homogenates and mitochondrial fractions, tissue content of mitochondrial proteins and expression of factors (PGC-1, NRF-1, and NRF-2) involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, we determined the oxidative damage extent, antioxidant enzyme activities, and glutathione content in both tissue preparations, mitochondrial ROS production rate. Finally we tested mitochondrial ROS production rate and muscle susceptibility to oxidative stress. The metabolic adaptations to training, consisting in increased muscle oxidative capacity coupled with the proliferation of a mitochondrial population with decreased oxidative capacity, were generally prevented by antioxidant supplementation. Accordingly, the expression of the factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, which were increased by training, was restored to the control level by the antioxidant treatment. Even the training-induced increase in antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione level and tissue capacity to oppose to an oxidative attach were prevented by vitamin E treatment. Our results support the idea that the stimulus for training-induced adaptive responses derives from the increased production, during the training sessions, of reactive oxygen species that stimulates the expression of PGC-1, which is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant enzymes expression. On the other hand, the observation that changes induced by training in some parameters are only attenuated by vitamin E treatment suggests that other signaling pathways, which are activated during exercise and impinge on PGC-1, can modify the response to the antioxidant integration.     

Vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract reduce nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in rat heart

The effects of vitamin E and Hippophea rhamnoides L. extract (HRe‐1) on nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in rat heart were investigated. There were eight rats per group and supplementation period was 3 weeks. The groups were: nicotine [0.5 mg kg^?1day^?1, intraperitoneal (i.p.)]; nicotine plus vitamin E [75 mg kg^?1day^?1, intragastric (i.g.)]; nicotine plus HRe‐1 (250 mg kg^?1day^?1, i.g.); and the control group (receiving only vehicles). Nicotine increased the malondialdehyde level, which was prevented by both vitamin E and HRe‐1. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was higher than the others. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity in nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group was increased compared with the control group. Catalase activity was higher in nicotine group compared with others. GPx activity in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group was elevated compared with the others. Total and non‐enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities in nicotine plus vitamin E supplemented group were lower than nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in nicotine plus HRe‐1 supplemented group compared with others. Glutathione reductase activity and nitric oxide level were not affected. Increased SOD and GST activities might have taken part in the prevention of nicotine‐induced oxidative stress in HRe‐1 supplemented group in rat heart. Flavonols such as quercetin, and isorahmnetin, tocopherols such as α‐tocopherol and β‐tocopherol and carotenoids such as α‐carotene and β‐carotene, reported to be present in H. rhamnoides L. extracts may be responsible for the antioxidant effects of this plant extract. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel fine tuning scheme of miR-200c in modulating lung cell redox homeostasis

Oxidative stress induces miR-200c, the predominant microRNA (miRNA) in lung tissues; however, the antioxidant role and biochemistry of such induction have not been clearly defined. Therefore, a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and a normal lung fibroblast (MRC-5) were used as models to determine the effects of miR-200c expression on lung antioxidant response. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) upregulated miR-200c, whose overexpression exacerbated the decrease in cell proliferation, retarded the progression of cells in the G2/M-phase, and increased oxidative stress upon H₂O₂ stimulation. The expression of three antioxidant proteins, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-2, haem oxygenase (HO)-1, and sirtuin (SIRT) 1, was reduced upon H₂O₂ stimulation in miR-200c-overexpressed A549 cells. This phenomenon of increased oxidative stress and antioxidant protein downregulation also occurs simultaneously in miR-200c overexpressed MRC-5 cells. Molecular analysis revealed that miR-200c inhibited the gene expression of HO-1 by directly targeting its 3′-untranslated region. The downregulation of SOD2 and SIRT1 by miR-200c was mediated through zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) pathways, respectively, where knockdown of ZEB2 or ERK5 decreased the expression of SOD2 or SIRT1 in A549 cells. LNA anti-miR-200c transfection in A549 cells inhibited the endogenous miR-200c expression, resulting in increased expressions of antioxidant proteins, reduced oxidative stress and recovered cell proliferation upon H₂O₂ stimulation. These findings indicate that miR-200c fine-tuned the antioxidant response of the lung cells to oxidative stress through several pathways, and thus this study provides novel information concerning the role of miR-200c in modulating redox homeostasis of lung.     

Hydrogen peroxide primes heart regeneration with a derepression mechanism

While the adult human heart has very limited regenerative potential, the adult zebrafish heart can fully regenerate after 20% ventricular resection. Although previous reports suggest that developmental signaling pathways such as FGF and PDGF are reused in adult heart regeneration, the underlying intracellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we show that H₂O₂ acts as a novel epicardial and myocardial signal to prime the heart for regeneration in adult zebrafish. Live imaging of intact hearts revealed highly localized H₂O₂ (∼30 μM) production in the epicardium and adjacent compact myocardium at the resection site. Decreasing H₂O₂ formation with the Duox inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) or apocynin, or scavenging H₂O₂ by catalase overexpression markedly impaired cardiac regeneration while exogenous H₂O₂ rescued the inhibitory effects of DPI on cardiac regeneration, indicating that H₂O₂ is an essential and sufficient signal in this process. Mechanistically, elevated H₂O₂ destabilized the redox-sensitive phosphatase Dusp6 and hence increased the phosphorylation of Erk1/2. The Dusp6 inhibitor BCI achieved similar pro-regenerative effects while transgenic overexpression of dusp6 impaired cardiac regeneration. H₂O₂ plays a dual role in recruiting immune cells and promoting heart regeneration through two relatively independent pathways. We conclude that H₂O₂ potentially generated from Duox/Nox2 promotes heart regeneration in zebrafish by unleashing MAP kinase signaling through a derepression mechanism involving Dusp6.     

Characterization of rat and human CYP2J enzymes as Vitamin D 25-hydroxylases

vitamin D is 25-hydroxylated in the liver, before being activated by 1alpha-hydroxylation in the kidney. Recently, the rat cytochrome P450 2J3 (CYP2J3) has been identified as a principal vitamin D 25-hydroxylase in the rat [Yamasaki T, Izumi S, Ide H, Ohyama Y. Identification of a novel rat microsomal vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase. J Biol Chem 2004;279(22):22848-56]. In this study, we examine whether human CYP2J2 that exhibits 73% amino acid homology to rat CYP2J3 has similar catalytic properties. Recombinant human CYP2J2 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and assayed for vitamin D 25-hydroxylation activity. We found significant 25-hydroxylation activity toward vitamin D3 (turnover number, 0.087 min(-1)), vitamin D2 (0.16 min(-1)), and 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (2.2 min(-1)). Interestingly, human CYP2J2 hydroxylated vitamin D2, an exogenous vitamin D, at a higher rate than it did vitamin D3, an endogenous vitamin D, whereas, rat CYP2J3 hydroxylated vitamin D3 (1.4 min(-1)) more efficiently than vitamin D2 (0.86 min(-1)). Our study demonstrated that human CYP2J2 exhibits 25-hydroxylation activity as well as rat CYP2J3, although the activity of human CYP2J2 is weaker than rat CYP2J3. CYP2J2 and CYP2J3 exhibit distinct preferences toward vitamin D3 and D2.     

The capacity of hydrogenotrophic anaerobic bacteria to compete for traces of hydrogen depends on the redox potential of the terminal electron acceptor

The effect of different electron acceptors on substrate degradation was studied in pure and mixed cultures of various hydrogenotrophic homoacetogenic, methanogenic, sulfate-reducing, fumarate-reducing and nitrate-ammonifying bacteria. Two different species of these bacteria which during organic substrate degradation produce and consume hydrogen, were cocultured on a substrate which was utilized only by one of them. Hydrogen, which was excreted as intermediate by the first strain (and reoxidized in pure culture), could, depending on the hydrogen acceptor present, also be used by the second organism, resulting in interspecies hydrogen transfer. The efficiency of H₂ transfer was similar when methanol, lactate or fructose were used as organic substrate, although the free energy changes of fermentative H₂ formation of these substrates are considerably different. In coculture experiments nitrate or fumarate>sulfate> CO₂/CH₄>sulfur or CO₂/acetate were the preferred electron acceptors, and an increasing percentage of H₂ was transferred to that bacterium which was able to utilize the preferred electron acceptor. In pure culture the threshold values for hydrogen oxidation decreased in the same order from 1,100 ppm for homoacetogenic bacteria to about 0.03 ppm for nitrate or fumarate reducing bacteria. The determined H₂-threshold values as well as the percentage of H₂ transfer in cocultures were related to the Gibbs free energy change of the respective hydrogen oxidizing reaction.Parts of this work (grant to R C-R) was supported by the European Community (ST2A-0022)     

Insulin protects H9c2 rat cardiomyoblast cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury through upregulation of microRNA-210

Abstract

Background. Insulin protects cardiomyocytes from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced apoptosis after ischemic/reperfusion injury, but the mechanism is not clear. This study investigated the protective mechanism of insulin in preventing cardiomyocyte apoptosis from ROS injury. Methods. Rat cardiomyoblast H9c2 cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or insulin at various concentrations for various periods of time, or with insulin and H₂O₂ for various periods of time. Cell viability was measured by the methylthiazolydiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide method. Cellular miR-210 levels were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. MiR-210 expression was also manipulated through lentivirus-mediated transfection. LY294002 was used to investigate involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Results. The percentage of viable cells was significantly and inversely associated with H₂O₂ concentration, an effect that was seemingly attenuated by insulin pretreatment. Treatments with H₂O₂ or insulin were associated with a significant increase in miR-210 levels. Manipulation of miR-210 expression by gene transfection showed that miR-210 could attenuate H₂O₂-induced cellular injury. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by the Akt inhibitor LY294002 was associated with a decrease in miR-210 expression. Conclusion. Insulin stimulated the expression of miR-210 through the PI3K/Akt pathway, resulting in a protective effect against cardiomyocyte injury that had been induced by H₂O₂/oxygen species. Our results provide novel evidence regarding the mechanism underlying the protective effect of insulin.     

Susceptibility of rat astrocytes to DNA strand scission induced by activation of NADPH oxidase and collateral resistance to the effects of peroxynitrite

Rat astrocytes accumulate extensive DNA single-strand breakage in response to agents promoting activation of NADPH oxidase. Proinflammatory stimuli, as bacterial lipopolysaccharide associated with interferon-gamma, caused a rapid/robust burst of superoxide radicals, sensitive to NADPH oxidase inhibition, followed by dismutation to H2O2, the species resulting in DNA damage via a Fenton-type reaction. There was no contribution of superoxide radical/H2O2 of mitochondrial origin and there was no evidence for the formation/involvement of peroxynitrite. On the other hand, astrocytes were virtually invulnerable to the DNA-damaging effects of exogenous peroxynitrite, an agent causing DNA strand scission in other cell types, via the Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial formation of superoxide radical/H2O2. Resistance was not dependent on scavenging of peroxynitrite but, rather, on insufficient mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation. Hence, different manipulations resulting in an increase of the mitochondrial Ca2+ pool were invariably associated with the formation of DNA-damaging levels of H2O2. In conclusion, it appears that the strategy adopted by astrocytes to avoid inflammation-dependent genotoxic events, in particular those mediated by peroxynitrite, is to prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation, critical for the formation of secondary species largely responsible for DNA damage induced by peroxynitrite.     

GABA accumulation and oxidative damage responses to salt,osmotic and H2O2 treatments in two lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) accessions

Abiotic stresses such as cold, drought, heat, salinity, nutrient deficiency, and toxicity adversely affect lentil yields worldwide. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the response of two lentil cultivars (Lens culinaris Medik) (Jordan 1 and Jordan 2) to NaCl, mannitol, sorbitol, and H₂O₂ via the characterization of seed germination, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level. There was a significant increase in GABA and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the two lentil cultivars under all treatments. Jordan 1 showed the highest germination percentages with p-values: 0.009, 0.013, 0.026, and 0.015, while Jordan 2 seedlings showed the highest GABA levels with p-values: 0.023, 0.007, 0.023, and 0.019 and MDA accumulation with p-values: 0.009, 0.012, 0.007, and 0.009 under salt, osmotic, and oxidative stresses, respectively, compared with Jordan 1 seedlings under the same treatments. Our results indicate that GABA shunt is a key signaling and metabolic pathway that allows adaptation of lentil seedlings to salt, osmotic, and oxidative stresses. In addition, Jordan 1 cultivar showed significant tolerance to abiotic stress treatments and it is the most recommended lentil cultivar to be used in soil with high salt and osmotic contents.     

Experimental verification of regression to the mean in redox biology: differential responses to exercise

An important methodological threat when selecting individuals based on initial values for a given trait is the “regression to the mean” artifact. This artifact appears when a group with an extreme mean value during a first measurement tends to obtain a less extreme value (i.e. tends toward the mean) on a subsequent measurement. The main aim was to experimentally confirm the presence of this artifact in the responses of the reference oxidative stress biomarker (F₂-isoprostanes) after exercise. Urine samples were collected before and immediately following acute exercise in order to determine the level of exercise-induced oxidative stress. Afterwards, participants were arranged into three groups based on their levels of exercise-induced oxidative stress (low, moderate and high oxidative stress groups; n?=?12 per group). In order to verify the existence of the regression to the mean artifact, the three groups were subjected to a second exercise trial one week after the first trial. This study confirmed the regression to the mean artifact in a redox biology context and showed that this artifact can be minimized by performing a duplicate pretreatment measurement after completing a nonrandom sorting based on the first assessment. This study also indicated that different individuals experience high oxidative stress or reductive stress (or no stress) to the same exercise stimulus even after adjusting for regression to the mean. This finding substantiates the methodological choice to divide individuals based on their degree of exercise-induced oxidative stress in future experiments to investigate the role of reactive species in exercise adaptations.     

Protective effects of cyclosativene on H2O2-induced injury in cultured rat primary cerebral cortex cells

Sesquiterpenes have attracted much interest with respect to their protective effect against oxidative damage that may be the cause of many diseases including several neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. Our previous unpublished work suggested that cyclosativene (CSV), a tetracyclic sesquiterpene, has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic features. However, little is known about the effects of CSV on oxidative stress induced neurotoxicity. We used hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) exposure for 6 h to model oxidative stress. Therefore, this experimental design allowed us to explore the neuroprotective potential of CSV in H₂O₂-induced toxicity in new-born rat cerebral cortex cell cultures for the first time. For this aim, MTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were carried out to evaluate cytotoxicity. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) parameters were used to evaluate oxidative changes. In addition to determining of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) levels, the single cell gel electrophoresis (or Comet assay) was also performed for measuring the resistance of neuronal DNA to H₂O₂-induced challenge. Our results showed that survival and TAC levels of the cells decreased, while TOS, 8-OH-dG levels and the mean values of the total scores of cells showing DNA damage (Comet assay) increased in the H₂O₂ alone treated cultures. But pre-treatment of CSV suppressed the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress which were increased by H₂O₂. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that CSV as a natural product with an antioxidant capacity in mitigating oxidative injuries in the field of neurodegenerative disorders.     

Evidence for H2O2 as the product of reduction of oxygen by alternative oxidase in mitochondria from potato tubers

Oxygen consumption by alternative oxidase (AOX), present in mitochondria of many angiosperms, is known to be cyanide-resistant in contrast to cytochrome oxidase. Its activity in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) was induced following chilling treatment at 4 °C. About half of the total O₂ consumption of succinate oxidation in such mitochondria was found to be sensitive to SHAM, a known inhibitor of AOX activity. Addition of catalase to the reaction mixture of AOX during the reaction decreased the rate of SHAM-sensitive oxygen consumption by nearly half, and addition at the end of the reaction released nearly half of the consumed oxygen by AOX, both typical of catalase action on H₂O₂. These findings with catalase suggest that the product of reduction of AOX is H₂O₂ and not H₂O, as previously surmised. In potatoes subjected to chill stress (4 °C) for periods of 3, 5 and ?8 days the activity of AOX in mitochondria increased progressively with a corresponding increase in the AOX protein detected by immunoblot of the protein.     

The quantitative measurement of H2O2 generation in isolated mitochondria

Adequate methods to measure the rate of mitochondrial oxygen radical generation are needed since oxygen radicals are involved in many pathologies. A fluorometric method appropriate to measure the rate of generation of H₂O₂ in intact mitochondria is described. Just after isolation of functional mitochondria from fresh tissues, rates of generation of H₂O₂ are kinetically measured by fluorometry in the presence of homovanillic acid and horseradish peroxidase. The method is specific for H₂O₂ and is sensitive enough to assay mitochondrial H₂O₂ generation in the presence of respiratory substrate without inhibitors of the respiratory chain. Simultaneous measurement of mitochondrial oxygen consumption allows calculation of the free radical leak: the percentage of electrons out of sequence which reduce oxygen to oxygen radicals along the mitochondrial respiratory chain instead of reducing oxygen to water at the terminal cytochrome oxidase. The method shows instantaneous response to H₂O₂. This makes it appropriate to study the quick effects of different inhibitors and modulators on the rate of mitochondrial oxygen radical production. Its application to the localization of the sites where caloric restriction decreases mitochondrial oxygen radical generation in heart mitochondria is described.     

Rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">phot1a</Emphasis> mutation reduces plant growth by affecting photosynthetic responses to light during early seedling growth

The aim of this work was to characterize the phot1 mutant of rice during early seedling growth in various light conditions. We isolated the rice T-DNA insertion mutant phot1a-1 and compared it to the Tos17 insertion mutant phot1a-2. When phot1a mutants were grown under WL (100) and BL (40 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), they demonstrated a considerable reduction in photosynthetic capacity, which included decreased leaf CO₂ uptake and plant growth. Pigment analysis showed no significant difference between wild-type and mutants in the Chl a:b ratios, whereas in the latter, total concentration was reduced (a 2-fold decrease). Carotenoid contents of the mutants were also decreased considerably, implying the involvement of phot1a in pigment degradation. Deletion of phot1a showed higher contents of H₂O₂ in leaves. Chloroplastic APX and SOD activities were lower in the mutants whereas the activities of cytosolic enzymes were increased. Immunoblotting indicated reduced accumulation of photosystem proteins (D1, D2, CP43, Lhca2, and PsaC) relative to the other light-harvesting complexes in the mutant. We conclude that the defect of Os Phot1a affects degradation of chlorophylls and carotenoids, and under photosynthetically active photon fluxes, mutation of phot1a results in loss of photosynthetic capacity owing to the damage of photosystems caused by elevated H₂O₂ accumulation, leading to a reduction in plant growth. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Differential responses of rice to inoculation with wild-type and non-pathogenic mutants of Magnaporthe oryzae

We analyzed the response of rice to Magnaporthe oryzae infection using two mutant strains deficient in Mgb1 and Mst12, which are essential for the development of appresoria and penetration pegs. Both mutants induced the much lower levels of accumulation of phytoalexins than wild-type, suggesting that the massive production of phytoalexins requires the fungal invasion of rice cells. Intense accumulation of H₂O₂ in a single whole cell also required fungal penetration. Microarray analysis of rice gene expression revealed mutant-specific gene expression, indicating that signal exchange between rice and M. oryzae commence before fungal penetration of the rice cell. In situ detection of mRNAs for peroxidase and β-1,3-glucanase showed that expression of these genes also occurs after penetration as observed for phytoalexin production. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. Tomoaki Kato, Shigeru Tanabe, and Marie Nishimura contributed equally to this work. Accession number of the original microarray data in NCBI is GSE9450.     

Mitochondrial Oxygen Radical Generation and Leak: Sites of Production in States 4 and 3, Organ Specificity, and Relation to Aging and Longevity

Studies in heart and nonsynaptic brain mitochondria from two mammals and three birds showthat complex I generates oxygen radicals in heart and nonsynaptic brain mitochondria in States4 and 3, whereas complex III does it only in heart mitochondria and only in State 4. Theincrease in oxygen consumption during the State 4 to 3 transition is not accompanied by aproportional increase in oxygen radical generation. This will protect mitochondria and tissuesduring bursts of activity. Comparisons between young and old rodents do not show a consistentpattern of variation in mitochondrial oxygen radical production during aging. However, allthe interspecies comparisons performed to date between different mammals, and betweenmammals and birds, agree that animals with high maximum longevities have low rates ofmitochondrial oxygen radical production, irrespective of the value of their basal specificmetabolic rate. The sites and mechanisms allowing this, the recently described low degree ofmembrane fatty acid unsaturation of longevous animals, and their relation to longevity andaging are discussed.     

Oxidative stress enhances phosphorylation of p53 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

p53 is an important regulator of cell growth and apoptosis and its activity is regulated by phosphorylation. Accordingly, in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes we examined the involvement of p53 in H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. Treatment with 50–100 μM H₂O₂ markedly induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, as assessed by gel electrophoresis of genomic DNA. To examine whether H₂O₂ increases p53 phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes, we utilized an antibody that specifically recognizes phosphorylated p53 at serine-15. The level of phosphorylated p53 was markedly increased by 100 μM H₂O₂ at 30 and 60 min. Using specific protein kinase inhibitors we examined the involvement of protein kinases in p53 phosphorylation in response to H₂O₂ treatment. However, staurosporine, a broad spectrum inhibitor of protein kinases, SB202190, a specific p38 kinase inhibitor, PD98059, a MAP kinase inhibitor, wortmannin, an inhibitor of DNA-PK and PI3 kinase, SP600125, a JNK inhibitor and caffeine,an inhibitor of ATM and ATR, failed to prevent the H₂O₂-induced phosphorylation of p53. cDNA microarray revealed that H₂O₂ markedly increased expression of several p53 upstream modifiers such as the p300 coactivator protein and several downstream effectors such as gadd45, but decreased the expression of MDM2, a negative regulator of p53. Our results suggest that phosphorylation of p53 at serine-15 may be an important signaling event in the H₂O₂-mediated apoptotic process.     

Inhalation of hydrogen gas reduces infarct size in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Inhalation of hydrogen (H₂) gas has been demonstrated to limit the infarct volume of brain and liver by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in rodents. When translated into clinical practice, this therapy must be most frequently applied in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction, since angioplastic recanalization of infarct-related occluded coronary artery is routinely performed. Therefore, we investigate whether H₂ gas confers cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. In isolated perfused hearts, H₂ gas enhances the recovery of left ventricular function following anoxia-reoxygenation. Inhaled H₂ gas is rapidly transported and can reach ‘at risk’ ischemic myocardium before coronary blood flow of the occluded infarct-related artery is reestablished. Inhalation of H₂ gas at incombustible levels during ischemia and reperfusion reduces infarct size without altering hemodynamic parameters, thereby preventing deleterious left ventricular remodeling. Thus, inhalation of H₂ gas is promising strategy to alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury coincident with recanalization of coronary artery.