Hydrogen Sulfide and Endothelial Dysfunction: Relationship with Nitric Oxide

Title:Hydrogen Sulfide and Endothelial Dysfunction: Relationship with Nitric Oxide

Volume: 21 Issue: 32

Author(s): Zaid Altaany, Francesco Moccia, Luca Munaron, Daniele Mancardi and Rui Wang

Affiliation:

Keywords: Angiogenesis, Endothelial dysfunction, Endothelium, Gasotransmitters, Hydrogen sulfide, Nitric oxide, Snitrosylation, S-sulfhydration.

Abstract: The endothelium is a cellular monolayer that lines the inner surface of blood vessels and plays a central role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis by controlling platelet aggregation, vascular tone, blood fluidity and fibrinolysis, adhesion and transmigration of inflammatory cells, and angiogenesis. Endothelial dysfunctions are associated with various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Numerous studies have established the anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), the latest member to join the gasotransmitter family along with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, on vascular endothelium. In addition, H₂S may prime endothelial cells (ECs) toward angiogenesis and contribute to wound healing, besides to its well-known ability to relax vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and thereby reducing blood pressure. Finally, H₂S may inhibit VSMC proliferation and platelet aggregation. Consistently, a deficit in H₂S homeostasis is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and of hyperglycaemic endothelial injury. Therefore, the application of H₂S-releasing drugs or using gene therapy to increase endogenous H₂S level may help restore endothelial function and antagonize the progression of cardiovascular diseases. The present article reviews recent studies on the role of H₂S in endothelial homeostasis, under both physiological and pathological conditions, and its putative therapeutic applications.

Cite this article as:

Altaany Zaid, Moccia Francesco, Munaron Luca, Mancardi Daniele and Wang Rui, Hydrogen Sulfide and Endothelial Dysfunction: Relationship with Nitric Oxide, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 21 (32) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867321666140706142930