Hydrogen sulfide: A new therapeutic target in vascular diseases
Cuilin Zhu, Qing Liu, Xin Li, Ran Wei, Tongtong Ge, Xiufen Zheng, Bingjin Li, Kexiang Liu, Ranji Cui
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is one of most important gas transmitters. H 2 S modulates many physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress and cell apoptosis that play a critical role in vascular function. Recently, solid evidence show that H 2 S is closely associated to various vascular diseases. However, specific function of H 2 S remains unclear. Therefore, in this review we systemically summarized the role of H 2 S in vascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, inflammation and angiogenesis. In addition, this review also outlined a novel therapeutic perspective comprising crosstalk between H 2 S and smooth muscle cell function. Therefore, this review may provide new insight inH 2 S application clinically.