Research advances on preventive and therapeutic effects of hydrogen on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and underlying mechanisms

For a long time, hydrogen (H2) has been considered as a physiological inert gas. However, recent studies have demonstrated that molecular H2 exerts significant therapeutic effects on various disease models due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic capabilities, which have also been well confirmed in many clinical trials. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) are the leading cause of death in the world, constituting a serious threat to human life and public health. In this paper, we reviewed the latest research progress of the biomedical effects of H2 in CCVDs and its possible molecular mechanisms, in the hope of providing new clues for the treatment of some CCVDs.