The role of hydrogen sulfide regulation of ferroptosis in different diseases

Abstract

Ferroptosis is a programmed cell death that relies on iron and lipid peroxidation. It differs from other forms of programmed cell death such as necrosis, apoptosis and autophagy. More and more evidence indicates that ferroptosis participates in many types of diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiovascular diseases and so on. Hence, clarifying the role and mechanism of ferroptosis in diseases is of great significance for further understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of some diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless and flammable gas with the smell of rotten eggs. Many years ago, H₂S was considered as a toxic gas. however, in recent years, increasing evidence indicates that it is the third important gas signaling molecule after nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. H₂S has various physiological and pathological functions such as antioxidant stress, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-tumor, and can participate in various diseases. It has been reported that H₂S regulation of ferroptosis plays an important role in many types of diseases, however, the related mechanisms are not fully clear. In this review, we reviewed the recent literature about the role of H₂S regulation of ferroptosis in diseases, and analyzed the relevant mechanisms, hoping to provide references for future in-depth researches.