title: Acute hydrogen sulfide-induced neuropathology and neurological sequelae: challenges for translational neuroprotective research.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the gas with the odor of rotten eggs, was formally discovered in 1777, over 239 years ago. For many years, it was considered an environmental pollutant and a health concern only in occupational settings. Recently, however, it was discovered that H2S is produced endogenously and plays critical physiological roles as a gasotransmitter. Although at low physiological concentrations it is physiologically beneficial, exposure to high concentrations of H2S is known to cause brain damage, leading to neurodegeneration and long-term neurological sequelae or death. Neurological sequelae include motor, behavioral, and cognitive deficits, which are incapacitating. Currently, there are concerns about accidental or malicious acute mass civilian exposure to H2S. There is a major unmet need for an ideal neuroprotective treatment, for use in the field, in the event of mass civilian exposure to high H2S concentrations. This review focuses on the neuropathology of high acute H2S exposure, knowledge gaps, and the challenges associated with development of effective neuroprotective therapy to counteract H2S-induced neurodegeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. rumbeiha@iastate.edu.
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rumbeiha
authors.affiliation: Pathogenesis LLC, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Whitley
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
authors.forename: Poojya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anantharam
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
authors.forename: Dong-Suk
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
authors.forename: Arthi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanthasamy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: brain; hydrogen sulfide; neurodegeneration; neuropathology; neuroprotection