title: Hydrogen Sulfide as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Fibrosis.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), produced endogenously by the activation of two major H2S-generating enzymes (cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase), plays important regulatory roles in different physiologic and pathologic conditions. The abnormal metabolism of H2S is associated with fibrosis pathogenesis, causing damage in structure and function of different organs. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that both endogenous H2S level and the expressions of H2S-generating enzymes in plasma and tissues are significantly downregulated during fibrosis. Supplement with exogenous H2S mitigates the severity of fibrosis in various experimental animal models. The protective role of H2S in the development of fibrosis is primarily attributed to its antioxidation, antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, proangiogenesis, and inhibition of fibroblasts activities. Future studies might focus on the potential to intervene fibrosis by targeting the pathway of endogenous H2S-producing enzymes and H2S itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Binjiang Branch, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Shufang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Chuli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Ningbo Medical Center, Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315041, China.
authors.forename: Feifei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fenghua People's Hospital, Fenghua, Ningbo 315000, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, China.
authors.forename: Gensheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide