Molecular hydrogen mitigates NEMP-induced male reproductive cells apoptosis via scavenging ROS

Nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP) as a public hygiene issue has aroused increasing attention. Recent research has demonstrated that NEMP can disrupt the male reproductive system. Molecular hydrogen, a selective hydroxyl radical scavenger, has been shown to have the protective effects against many diseases closely associated with oxidative damage. We sought to characterize the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen on the male reproductive cells. GC-1 spermatogonial cells and TM-3 Leydig cells, two well-established male reproductive cell lines, were exposed to NEMP. Finally, we employed transcriptomic sequencing to explore the transcriptional changes in male reproductive cells induced by NEMP exposure. For the intervention, cells were incubated in hydrogen gas (H₂ 75%, O₂ 20%, and CO₂ 5%) for 1 h. NEMP exposure induced damage to both GC-1 and TM-3 cells, resulting in decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis rates. However, intervention with molecular hydrogen significantly mitigated this damage. Specifically, molecular hydrogen reduced the production of ROS and restored mitochondrial function, thereby alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Transcriptomic sequencing analysis showed that NEMP affected the molecular function term antioxidant activity, particularly Gstp2, a gene predicted to be located in the mitochondria to promote glutathione transferase activity. Hence, molecular hydrogen is a promising protective agent against NEMP in the mechanism that other antioxidants cannot be available.