Hydrogen sulfide and vascular relaxation

• Published in: Chinese medical journal 2011-11, Vol.124 (22), p.3816-3819
• Main Authors: Sun, Yan, Tang, Chao-Shu, DU, Jun-Bao, Jin, Hong-Fang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cardiovascular System - metabolism; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide - metabolism; KATP通道; Medline; mRNA表达; Vasodilation - physiology; 心血管疾病; 心血管系统; 硫化氢; 血管平滑肌细胞; 血管舒张
• ISSN: 0366-6999; 2542-5641
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.2011.22.038

Objective To review the vasorelaxant effects of hydrogen sulfide （H2S） in arterial rings in the cardiovascular system under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions and the possible mechanisms involved. Data sources The data in this review were obtained from Medline and Pubmed sources from 1997 to 2011 using the search terms ＂hydrogen sulfide＂ and ＂vascular relaxation＂. Study selection Articles describing the role of hydrogen sulfide in the regulation of vascular activity and its vasorelaxant effects were selected. Results H2S plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular tone. The vasomodulatory effects of H2S depend on factors including concentration, species and tissue type. The H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide （NariS）, causes vasorelaxation of rat isolated aortic rings in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was more pronounced than that observed in pulmonary arterial rings. The expression of KATp channel proteins and mRNA in the aortic rings was increased compared with pulmonary artery rings. H2S is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Downregulation of the endogenous H2S pathway is an important factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The vasorelaxant effects of H2S have been shown to be mediated by activation of KATP channels in vascular smooth muscle cells and via the induction of acidification due to activation of the Cr/HCO3 exchanger. It is speculated that the mechanisms underlying the vasoconstrictive function of H2S in the aortic rings involves decreased NO production and inhibition of cAMP accumulation. Conclusion H2S is an important endogenous gasotransmitter in the cardiovascular system and acts as a modulator of vascular tone in the homeostatic regulation of blood pressure.