[Cardiovascular Regulation by Sulfur-containing Gaseous Signaling Molecules and the Underlying Mechanisms:Updated Research Evidence].

Abstract

The sulfur-containing gases hydrogen sulfide (H2S)and sulfur dioxide (SO2 )were previously considered to be waste gases. Recent studies showed that they could be endogenously generated from metabolism of the sulfur-containing amino acids in mammals. Endogenous H2S and SO2 generation pathways also existed in the cardiovascular system.H2S and SO2 had important physiological effects in the cardio-vascular system including vasorelaxation and myocardial negative inotropic effect. The pathophysiological effects of H2S and SO2 in the cardiovascular system have been recognized, such as alleviating hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis, and protecting against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I /R)injury and isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP )channel, L-type calcium (L-Ca2 +) channel, cGMP, NF-κB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway and so on participated in the biological effects of H2S and SO2 .The above findings suggested that H2S and SO2 were important endogenous gaseous signaling molecules in the cardiovascular system, which provided a new way to elucidate the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of cardiovascular diseases.