Role of Hydrogen Sulfide in Chronic Diseases.

In the past, hydrogen sulfide (HS) was considered as a poisonous gas or waste of the body. Later, researchers found that HS-producing enzymes exist in mammals. Moreover, their findings indicated that endogenous HS was associated with the occurrence of many diseases. Therefore, endogenous HS is able to participate in the regulation of physiological and pathological functions of the body as a gas signaling molecule. In this review, we summarize the regulation mechanism of endogenous HS on the body, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, angiogenesis, as well as vasodilation/vasoconstriction. Furthermore, we also analyze the relationship between HS and some chronic diseases, including hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, myocardial infarction, ischemic perfusion kidney injury, diabetes, and chronic intestinal diseases. Finally, we discuss dietary restriction and drugs that target for HS. Hence, HS is expected to become a potential target for treatment of these chronic diseases.