title: Hydrogen sulfide as a potential biomarker of asthma.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas characterized by the odor of rotten eggs, is produced by many cells in the airways and lungs, and may regulate physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. It plays a role in cellular signaling, and represents the third gasotransmitter after nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Endogenous and exogenous H₂S have anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, with inhibitory effects in models of lung inflammation and fibrosis. Under certain conditions, H₂S may also be proinflammatory. It is generally a vasodilator and relaxant of airway and vascular smooth muscle cells. It acts as a reducing agent, being able to scavenge superoxide and peroxynitrite. H₂S is detectable in serum and in sputum supernatants with raised levels observed in asthmatics. The sputum levels correlated inversely with lung function. H₂S may play a role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
authors.affiliation: National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College & NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College London, UK +44 207 352 8121.
authors.forename: Kian F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010641:Phenotype; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide