We have previously reported that bradykinin relaxes the fetal ductus arteriosus via endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) when other naturally occurring relaxants (prostaglandin E2, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide) are suppressed, but the identity of the agent could not be ascertained. Here, we have examined in the mouse whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a relaxant of the ductus a...

BACKGROUND The present study was designed to explore the possible changes in endogenous hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S), a novel gasotransmitter, on the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS AR guinea pig model was established by nasal ovalbumin sensitisation. Guinea pigs were divided into four groups: Saline control, AR sensitised, sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS) treated, and propargylglycin...

BACKGROUND Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), an endogenous vasoactive agent, is produced by cystathionine γ-lyase (CGL) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) enzymes. This study was conducted to evaluate the relative contribution of these enzymes in regulating systemic arterial pressure. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically treated with CGL inhibitor, DL-propargylglycine (PAG, 37.5 mg/kg/day; in...

There is ample evidence in the literature concerning the labile nature of rat liver xanthine oxidase and its dependence on dietary protein. McQuarrie and Venosa (1) observed a large drop in the enzyme activity when the protein content of the ration was reduced from 25 to 10 per cent. Miller (2) noticed that a 7 day inanition caused a loss of xanthine oxidase activity in rat liver which exceeded...

Sepsis-induced myocardial injury is a detrimental disorder for intensive care medicine due to its high rates of morbidity and mortality. Data suggest that nuclear factor (NF)-κB serves a critical role in the pathogenesis of myocardial injury. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) serves an important role in the physiology and pathophysiology of regulatory mechanisms, particularly during an inflammatory reacti...

BACKGROUND Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is considered as the third gasotransmitter after nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. This gas molecule participates in the regulation of renal function. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major chronic complications of diabetes. The present study aimed to explore the changes in H(2)S metabolism in the early stage of DN and the effects of H(2)S on cultured ...

Background: Apoptosis of lung structural cells contributes to the process of lung damage and remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our previous studies demonstrated that exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can reduce the lung tissue pathology score, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects in COPD, but the effect of H2S in regulating cigarette smoke (CS) induced bronchial...

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is an important cardiovascular disease, becoming a major and increasing health problem in developed countries. However, the possible underlying mechanisms were not completely clear. In 2009, our research group first discovered that hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) as a novel gastrotransmitter played an important anti-atherosclerotic role. The study was designed to examine the...

The importance of protein N terminus sequence composition for cell physiology was recognized more than two decades ago.l1l However, its relevance for chemical protein engineering through an expanded genetic code was demonstrated only very recently?1 Nature changes the chemistry of the N terminus by posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as longchain alkylation, acetylation, myristoylation,...

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the expression levels of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‑induced hepatic fibrosis. A total of 56 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Normal control group, model group, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group, and DL‑propargylglycine (PAG) group...