title: Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions of hydrogen sulfide: translation to therapeutics.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  There is a rapidly expanding body of evidence for important roles of hydrogen sulfide in protecting against tissue injury, reducing inflammation, and promoting repair. There is also growing evidence that H2S can be successfully exploited in drug development.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  H2S synthesis and degradation are regulated in circumstances of inflammation and injury so as to promote repair and re-establish homeostasis. Novel H2S-releasing drugs exhibit enhanced anti-inflammatory and pro-restorative effects, while having reduced adverse effects in many tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  H2S is a pleiotropic mediator, having effects on many elements in the inflammatory cascade and promoting the resolution of inflammation and injury. It also contributes significantly to mucosal defence in the gastrointestinal tract, and in host defence against infection. There is strong evidence that novel, H2S-based therapeutics are safe and effective in animal models, and several are progressing through human trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of H2S continues to be restrained by the lack of simple, reliable methods for measurement of H2S synthesis, and the paucity of highly selective inhibitors of enzymes that participate in endogenous H2S synthesis. On the other hand, H2S donors show promise as therapeutics for several important indications.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary , Calgary, Canada .
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Rory W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Blackler
authors.forename: Melissa V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Gabriela J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Wagdi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Elsheikh
authors.forename: Kyle L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Flannigan
authors.forename: Iulia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gamaniek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manko
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Andre G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buret
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide