Cardioprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide in attenuating myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury (Review)
Dan Wu, Yijing Gu, Deqiu Zhu
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease is one of the major causes of cardiovascular‑related mortality worldwide. Myocardial ischemia can be attenuated by reperfusion that restores the blood supply. However, injuries occur during blood flow restoration that induce cardiac dysfunction, which is known as myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury (MIRI). Hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S), the third discovered endogenous gasotransmitter in mammals (after NO and CO), participates in various pathophysiological processes. Previous <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> research have revealed the protective role of H<sub>2</sub>S in the cardiovascular system that render it useful in the protection of the myocardium against MIRI. The cardioprotective effects of H<sub>2</sub>S in attenuating MIRI are summarized in the present review.