Hydrogen sulfide, microbiota, and sulfur amino acid restriction diet

Abstract

Eukaryotes and microbiota produce H2S, using the same substrates and enzymes which constitute the reverse-trans-sulfuration and transsulfuration pathways. The homeostasis of gut microbiota impacts on the structural and functional integrity of gut epithelial barrier. Microbiota also serve as signalling sources to inform the host of the metabolism and functional changes. Microbiota dysbiosis negatively affect human health, contributing to diseases like obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, and asthma. Not by coincidence, these pathological conditions are also closely related to the abnormal metabolism and function of H2S signalling.H2S serves as a bacterial signal to the host and the host-produced H2S impacts on the population and size of microbiota. These bi-directional interactions become especially important for the digestion and utilization of sulfur amino acid in diet. Dietary restriction of sulfur amino acid increases the endogenous production of H2S by the host and consequently offers many health benefits. It, on the other hand, decreases the nutritional supply to the microbiota, which could be remedied by the co-application of prebiotics and probiotics. It is strategically sound to target the expression of H2S-producing enzymes in different organs to slow aging processes in our body and promote better health.