ユーメラニンによる水素分子産生：皮膚防御における新たな要素の可能性
Molecular hydrogen (H2) is recognized for its capacity to selectively neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby shielding tissues from oxidative damage. This hypothesis paper proposes that eumelanin, the natural pigment found in skin and hair, may serve as an endogenous generator of H2. The authors suggest that the well-known protective properties of skin melanin could be partly attributable to its ability to accumulate and release dihydrogen. If confirmed, eumelanin-mediated H2 production would represent a previously unrecognized component of the skin's defense system against oxidative stress-associated conditions.
The proposed mechanism involves eumelanin acting as an endogenous reservoir that generates and releases molecular hydrogen, which then selectively reduces reactive oxygen species to mitigate oxidative stress in skin tissue.
The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).
See also:
https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/25920542