Figure 1.

A possible mechanism of H₂ on inflammatory diseases targeting the mtROS production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. H₂ can selectively eliminate ·OH generated inside of mitochondria, and inhibit the cascade leading to NLRP3 activation by scavenging excess mtROS, and this inhibition leads to the suppression of IL-1β and IL-18 production. ROS: reactive oxygen species; ·OH: hydroxyl radicals; H₂: molecular hydrogen; IL-1β: interleukin-1β; IL-18: interleukin-18; NLRP3: nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3; TLR4: toll-like receptor 4; PAMPs: pathogen-associated molecular patters; DAMPs: damage-associated molecular patters; ASC: apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; mtROS: mitochondrial reactive oxygen species; mtDNA: mitochondrial DNA; CMPK2: cytidine/uridine monophosphate kinase 2.