title: Hydrogen sulfide as a potent cardiovascular protective agent.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a well-known toxic gas with the characteristic smell of rotten eggs. It is synthesized endogenously in mammals from the sulfur-containing amino acid l-cysteine by the action of several distinct enzymes: cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST) along with cysteine aminotransferase (CAT). In particular, CSE is considered to be the major H2S-producing enzyme in the cardiovascular system. As the third gasotransmitter next to nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), H2S plays an important role in the regulation of vasodilation, angiogenesis, inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Growing evidence has demonstrated that this gas exerts a significant protective effect against the progression of cardiovascular diseases by a number of mechanisms such as vasorelaxation, inhibition of cardiovascular remodeling and resistance to form foam cells. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the physiological functions of H2S and its protection against several major cardiovascular diseases, and to explore its potential health and therapeutic benefits. A better understanding will help develop novel H2S-based therapeutic interventions for these diseases.
authors: Life Science Research Center, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors: Xiao-Hua
authors: XH
authors: Yu
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Central Hospital of Hengyang City, Hengyang, Hunan 421000, China.
authors: Li-Bao
authors: LB
authors: Cui
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, The University of Calgary, Health Sciences Center, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
authors: Xi-Long
authors: XL
authors: Zheng
authors: Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
authors: Francisco S
authors: FS
authors: Cayabyab
authors: Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China. Electronic address: 2682446780@qq.com.
authors: Zhi-Wei
authors: ZW
authors: Chen
authors: Life Science Research Center, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China. Electronic address: tangchaoke@qq.com.
authors: Chao-Ke
authors: CK
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Atherosclerosis; CHD; CSE; H(2)S; Heart failure