title: Sulfur dioxide, a double-faced molecule in mammals.
abstract: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a common air pollutant and is detrimental to many organs. Its toxic effects including oxidative damage, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage and inflammation have been extensively studied. However, recent studies showed that SO2 can be generated endogenously in mammals. In contrast to the toxic effects of SO2, protective effects have also been found in mammals. Endogenous SO2 has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertension, and anti-atherogenic effects and regulates vascular tone and cardiac function in mammals. SO2 may have a dual role in regulating physiological and pathophysiological effects in mammals. The biological effects of SO2 in mammals are reviewed in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, PR China.
authors.forename: Xin-Bao
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, PR China. Electronic address: junbaodu1@126.com.
authors.forename: Jun-Bao
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, PR China. Electronic address: cuihongl00@sina.com.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide
keywords: Biology; Gasotransmitter; Pathophysiological effects; Physiological effects; Sulfur dioxide