Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant effect of hydrogen sulfide on human saphenous vein

Effects of hydrogen sulfide on relaxation responses in the lower esophageal sphincter in rabbits: the potential role of potassium channels

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a significant physiologic inhibitory neurotransmitter. The main goal of this research was to examine the contribution of diverse potassium (K+) channels and nitric oxide (NO) in mediating the H2S effect on electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced neurogenic contractile responses in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). EFS-induced contractile responses of rabbit isolated LES strips were recorded using force transducers in organ baths that contain Krebs-Henseleit solutions (20 ml). Cumulative doses of NaHS, L-cysteine, PAG, and AOAA were evaluated in NO-dependent and NO-independent groups. The experiments were conducted again in the presence of K+ channel blockers. In both NO-dependent and NO-independent groups, NaHS, L-cysteine, PAG, and AOAA significantly reduced EFS-induced contractile responses. In the NO-dependent group, the effect of NaHS and L-cysteine decreased in the presence of 4-AP, and also the effect of NaHS decreased in the NO-dependent and independent group in the presence of TEA. In the NO-independent group, K+ channel blockers didn't change L-cysteine-induced relaxations. K+ channel blockers had no impact on the effects of PAG and AOAA. In addition, NaHS significantly relaxed 80-mM KCl-induced contractions, whereas L-cysteine, PAG, and AOAA did not. In the present study, H2S decreased the amplitudes of EFS-induced contraction responses. These results suggest that Kv channels and NO significantly contribute to exogenous H2S and endogenous H2S precursor L-cysteine inhibitory effect on lower esophageal sphincter smooth muscle.

Hydrogen sulfide in the experimental models of arterial hypertension

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is the third member of gasotransmitter family together with nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. H₂S is involved in the regulation of blood pressure by controlling vascular tone, sympathetic nervous system activity and renal sodium excretion. Moderate age-dependent hypertension and endothelial dysfunction develop in mice with knockout of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), the enzyme involved in H₂S production in the cardiovascular system. Decreased H₂S concentration as well as the expression and activities of H₂S-producing enzymes have been observed in most commonly used animal models of hypertension such as spontaneously hypertensive rats, Dahl salt-sensitive rats, chronic administration of NO synthase inhibitors, angiotensin II infusion and two-kidney-one-clip hypertension, the model of renovascular hypertension. Administration of H₂S donors decreases blood pressure in these models but has no major effects on blood pressure in normotensive animals. H₂S donors not only reduce blood pressure but also end-organ injury such as vascular and myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling, hypertension-associated kidney injury or erectile dysfunction. H₂S level and signaling are modulated by some antihypertensive medications as well as natural products with antihypertensive activity such as garlic polysulfides or plant-derived isothiocyanates as well as non-pharmacological interventions. Modifying H₂S signaling is the potential novel therapeutic approach for the management of hypertension, however, more experimental clinical studies about the role of H₂S in hypertension are required.

Hydrogen Sulfide-Induced Vasodilation: The Involvement of Vascular Potassium Channels

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been highlighted as an important gasotransmitter in mammals. A growing number of studies have indicated that H₂S plays a key role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases and physiological vascular homeostasis. Alteration in H₂S biogenesis has been reported in a variety of vascular diseases and H₂S supplementation exerts effects of vasodilation. Accumulating evidence has shown vascular potassium channels activation is involved in H₂S-induced vasodilation. This review aimed to summarize and discuss the role of H₂S in the regulation of vascular tone, especially by interaction with different vascular potassium channels and the underlying mechanisms.