Scavenger of in vivo harmful reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a scavenger of in vivo harmful reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals, which is capable of effectively reducing the concentrations of in vivo reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals and exhibiting given effects such as the suppression of aging process, the prevention of geriatric or lifestyle-related disease, health promotion, and the inhibition of oxidative stress by virtue of this reduction in the concentrations of reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals. The scavenger of in vivo harmful reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals of the present invention comprises a liquid or gas comprising at least a hydrogen molecule. This medium may further comprise an oxygen molecule. Furthermore, this medium may comprise water or an aqueous solution or may be a gas. The scavenger of reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals can be used in the treatment or prevention of a disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method of treating or preventing a disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals, which comprises administering a therapeutic or preventive agent comprising a scavenger of in vivo harmful reactive oxygen and/or free radicals comprising a liquid comprising at least a hydrogen molecule at a concentration of 1 to 4% (v/v) to a patient. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein in vivo harmful reactive oxygen and/or free radicals is a hydroxyl radical or peroxynitrite. 
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals is selected from the group consisting of oxidative stress, oxidative stress-induced cell death, and oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals is selected from the group consisting of cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, arteriosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, disorders caused by artificial dialysis, disorders caused by organ transplantation, retinal degeneration in premature babies, acute pneumonopathy, inflammation, and disturbance of lipid metabolism. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals is myopathy after strenuous exercise or oxygen injury caused by oxygen gas inhalation at a high concentration after exercise. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals is selected from the group consisting of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein the disorder attributed to reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals is cancer.