Endogenous hydrogen sulfide and the cardiovascular system-what's the smell all about?
OBJECTIVE
Hydrogen Sulfide has been found to be produced endogenously in amounts that cause vasodilatation. The purpose of this review is to outline the effects of hydrogen sulfide as a gasotransmitter.


METHODS
This article is a summary of work done in Dr. Rui Wang's laboratory and a comprehensive review of H2S on the Pub-Med website.


RESULTS
One of the specific cellular targets of hydrogen sulfide is the K(ATP) channel protein which produces vasodilatation. The other gasotransmitters like NO (nitric oxide) interact with hydrogen sulfide in complex ways. This action could be important in hypertension and other vascular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
Gasotransmitter research is relevant to the pathophysiology of a number of cardiovascular disease processes.
Pearson
R James
RJ
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E5. jpearson2112@yahoo.ca
Wilson
Thomas
T
Wang
Rui
R
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D015221:Potassium Channels; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide