Antioxidants (Apr 2023)

The Impact of Drugs on Hydrogen Sulfide Homeostasis in Mammals

  • Asrar Alsaeedi,
  • Simon Welham,
  • Peter Rose,
  • Yi-Zhun Zhu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12040908
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 4
p. 908

Abstract

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Mammalian cells and tissues have the capacity to generate hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) via catabolic routes involving cysteine metabolism. H2S acts on cell signaling cascades that are necessary in many biochemical and physiological roles important in the heart, brain, liver, kidney, urogenital tract, and cardiovascular and immune systems of mammals. Diminished levels of this molecule are observed in several pathophysiological conditions including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and immune function. Interestingly, in the last two decades, it has become apparent that some commonly prescribed pharmacological drugs can impact the expression and activities of enzymes responsible for hydrogen sulfide production in cells and tissues. Therefore, the current review provides an overview of the studies that catalogue key drugs and their impact on hydrogen sulfide production in mammals.

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