Research advances on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic biological effects of methane / 生理学报

ABSTRACT

Methane (CH) is the simplest hydrocarbons and endogenous CHhas been thought only to be generated by methanogens in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of the mammals. However, recent animal studies have shown that endogenous CHcan also be generated from choline and its metabolites in the mammals to protect the plasma membrane from reactive oxygen species attack and repair the membrane. In addition, exogenous CHcan ameliorate the oxidative stress injury of multiple tissues and organs through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptosis effects. This paper reviews the recent researches about CHsynthetic metabolism and biological functions, and highlights its potential of wide application in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress related diseases and the significance for the development of gas medicine.