title: Emerging role of hydrogen sulfide in colonic physiology and pathophysiology.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a toxic gas that is now recognized as an important mediator of many physiological processes. In the colon, H₂S is produced both endogenously and by naturally occurring sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The full arrays of its effects in the gastrointestinal tract are still being elucidated, but they range from motility to carcinogenesis. We examined the evidence relating to H₂S as a modulator of colonic function and disease. H₂S is implicated in modulation of colonic compliance through its action on smooth muscle. There is also evidence linking H₂S to colonic nociception, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colorectal cancer. The exact mechanisms and pathways by which H₂S exerts its multitude of effects are not yet fully understood, but its involvement in physiological and pathophysiological conditions of the colon is becoming evident. Elucidating the intricate effects of H₂S in the colon and understanding the exact nature of its interactions with the colon makes pharmacological modulation of H₂S production and metabolism potential targets for treatment of a multitude of colonic conditions in the future.
authors.affiliation: University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland. mekmed@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mekki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Medani
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Neil G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Docherty
authors.forename: Alan W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Patrick R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Des C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000502:physiology*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide