Hydrogen sulfide: biological and pathochemistry

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) belongs to the family of «gasotransmitters» can by synthesized by enzymatic systems and also formed non-enzymatically. At physiological concentrations, it regulates a range of biological functions in various organs and tissues. H2 S is involved in biochemical changes that play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, and neurodegenerative pathologies. In carcinogenesis, H2S influences cancer cell proliferation, inhibits cancer cell apoptosis, regulates the cell cycle, intracellular signaling pathways, stimulates angiogenesis, and autophagy of cancer cells. In lung inflammation caused by COVID-19, H2S disrupts disulfide bonds in mucus, reducing its viscosity, blocks NF-κB pathway activation, preventing the onset of a «cytokine storm», promotes Nrf2 activation, increasing the expression of antioxidant molecules and enzymes, activates potassium channels, and blocks Na+/K+-ATPase, promoting electrolyte absorption. In the pancreas, H 2 S regulates insulin secretion and plays a significant role in insulin sensitivity regulation in insulin-responsive tissues. It inhibits glucose uptake and glycogen accumulation, which is crucial in diabetes mellitus. In adipose tissue, H 2 S promotes adipogenesis, inhibits lipolysis, and regulates the secretion of adiponectin and MCP-1 in type 2 diabetes. In neural tissue, H2S acts as a neuromodulator, increases GABA expression, induces Ca2+ concentration increase, participates in long-term potentiation, neurotransmitter modulation, affects NADPH levels, and exerts epigenetic effects. Understanding the role of H2 S may be crucial in developing effective therapy strategies for various diseases.