Signaling mechanisms for the effects of hydrogen sulfide in brain and cardiovascular systems

Abstract

Hydrogen Sulphide, (H2S) has been shown to exert various physiological functions in the mammalian system. The present study has unveiled three potential signaling mechanisms of H2S. In the nervous system, H2S was shown to regulate calcium homeostasis in primary cultured microglia. Exogenous application of H2S increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) whereas inhibition of endogenous H2S decreased [Ca2+]i. In the cardiovascular system, H2S regulates intracellular pH via activation of Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Moreover, the acidosis induced was shown to be partly responsible for the vasodilatory effect of H2S. Lastly, endogenous H2S modulates the cardioprotective effect of ischemic postconditioning via activation of PKCN5. In addition, H2S postconditioning reduces the damaged cause by ischemia-reperfusion via activation of Akt and PKCN5. These signaling pathways of H2S identified may be exploited to further understand the diverse physiological functions of H2S.