title: The Role of the Hydrogen Sulfide Pathway in Male and Female Urogenital System in Health and Disease.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  The endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway produces an array of biological effects that vary depending on the bodily region. In addition, the H2S pathway's relevance often changes depending on a healthy or disease state. There is abundant evidence pointing to a key role for this pathway in male and female genito-urinary diseases, suggesting it as a possible target for new therapeutic approaches. Recent Advances: The tissue-specific localization of the H2S enzymes in the genito-urinary tract has allowed for a better understanding of its role in the body's pathophysiology. Indeed, in humans, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) plays a major role in corpus cavernosum whereas cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) plays a role in bladder functioning. The prostate epithelium expresses CBS and CSE, but stromal CSE only. In the uterus, up- or downregulation of CBS and CSE varies strongly depending on the female's hormonal cycle or pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is still the need to better define the male and female's sexual hormonal roles in regulating the H2S pathway, particularly in human pathological conditions. The lack of a correlation between human and animal data should be carefully considered when planning preclinical studies. The unmet need for selective enzymatic inhibitors and the different methodologies for H2S measurements still represent a critical issue in this research field.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible that the L-cysteine/H2S pathway can represent an alternative therapeutic target in genito-urinary tract disorders. The research should focus on erectile dysfunction and preeclampsia, characterized by vascular defect, as well as on bladder disorders where the urothelium is compromised. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 654-668.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .|2 Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: d'Emmanuele di Villa Bianca
authors.affiliation: 2 Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .|3 Department of Neurosciences, Human Reproduction and Odontostomatology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.affiliation: 2 Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .|3 Department of Neurosciences, Human Reproduction and Odontostomatology, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mirone
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .|2 Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cirino
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .|2 Interdepartmental Centre for Sexual Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II , Naples, Italy .
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sorrentino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003541:Cystathionine beta-Synthase; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: bladder; corpus cavernosum; female; hydrogen sulfide; male; uterus