Effects of Sulfide-Containing Compounds on Development of Atherosclerosis in human endolthelial cells and hyperlipidemic rabbits

Abstract

The treatments of atherosclerosis are still unsatisfactory due to the strong adverse drug reaction. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the novel gasotransmitters, showed its cardioprotection against oxidative stress, inflammation and hyxia. In our study, the therapeutic potentials of sulfide-containing products, NaHS and S-Propargyl-cysteine (SPRC) on atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo were investigated. First, we found exogenous H2S - NaHS protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells against oxidative stress, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by hydrogen peroxide. The mitochondrial protection of NaHS was further demonstrated in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit aortas from the aspects of mitochondrial intact, ATP production, oxygen consumption, ROS generation and respiration chain relative complexes and enzymes. Moreover, on NZW rabbit hyperlipidemic model, NaHS showed the inhibition of atherogenesis via activation of HO-1, prohibition of ROS, activation of antioxidants and inhibition of cell adhesive and inflammatory molecules. Lastly, SPRC presented the similar inhibited effects on hyperlipidemic NZW rabbit.