title: Hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas with cardiovascular properties in uremia: how harmful is it?
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is a poisonous gas which can be lethal. However, it is also produced endogenously, thus belonging to the family of gasotransmitters along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. H(2)S is in fact involved in mediating several signaling and cytoprotective functions, for example in the nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems, such as neuronal transmission, blood pressure regulation and insulin release, among others. When increased, it can mediate inflammation and apoptosis, with a role in shock. When decreased, it can be involved in atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, and gastric ulcer; it notably interacts with the other gaseous mediators. Cystathionine γ-lyase, cystathionine β-synthase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase are the principal enzymes involved in H(2)S production. We have recently studied H(2)S metabolism in the plasma of chronic hemodialysis patients and reported that its levels are significantly decreased. The plausible mechanism lies in the transcription inhibition of the cystathionine γ-lyase gene. The finding could be of importance considering that hypertension and high cardiovascular mortality are characteristic in these patients.
authors.affiliation: First Division of Nephrology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Internal Medicine, Second University of Medicine, Via Pansini 5, Naples, Italy. alessandra.perna@unina2.it
authors.forename: Alessandra F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.forename: Immacolata
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sepe
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Raiola
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: Natale G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: De Santo
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ingrosso
mesh_terms: D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism*; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide