title: The Cardioprotective Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide in Heart Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Potential.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as a third gaseous mediator along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), though it was originally considered as a malodorous and toxic gas. H2S is produced endogenously from cysteine by three enzymes in mammalian tissues. An increasing body of evidence suggests the involvement of H2S in different physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have shown that H2S has the potential to protect the heart against myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertrophy, fibrosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Some mechanisms, such as antioxidative action, preservation of mitochondrial function, reduction of apoptosis, anti-inflammatory responses, angiogenic actions, regulation of ion channel, and interaction with NO, could be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of H2S. Although several mechanisms have been identified, there is a need for further research to identify the specific molecular mechanism of cardioprotection in different cardiac diseases. Therefore, insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying H2S action in the heart may promote the understanding of pathophysiology of cardiac diseases and lead to new therapeutic targets based on modulation of H2S production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China ; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
authors.forename: Yaqi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Zhuqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Shanshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Zhangheng Road 826, Pudong New District, Shanghai 201203, China ; Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597.
authors.forename: Yi Zhun
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide