含硫气体信号分子对心血管调节的效应及机制研究进展

含硫气体信号分子硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H2S)和二氧化硫(sulfur dioxide,SO2)过去被认为是废气,但是研究先后发现这两种含硫气体能在哺乳动物体内通过含硫氨基酸代谢内源性生成。心血管系统存在H2S和SO2的生成体系,并且H2S和SO2具有重要的心血管生理学效应,包括舒张血管和心肌负性肌力作用。H2S和SO2的心血管病理生理学效应也逐渐被认识,如缓解高血压和肺动脉高压、抑制动脉粥样硬化进展、保护心肌缺血再灌注损伤和异丙肾诱导的心肌损伤。ATP敏感性钾通道、L型钙通道、c GMP、NF-κB信号通路及MAPK信号通路等都参与H2S和SO2的生物学效应。以上发现表明H2S和SO2是重要的心血管内源性气体信号分子,为阐明心血管疾病的发病机制和治疗靶点提供新的思路。

Cardiovascular Regulation by Sulfur-containing Gaseous Signaling Molecules and the Underlying Mechanisms:Updated Research Evidence

The sulfur-containing gases hydrogen sulfide (H2S)and sulfur dioxide (SO2 )were previously considered to be waste gases.Recent studies showed that they could be endogenously generated from me-tabolism of the sulfur-containing amino acids in mammals.Endogenous H2S and SO2 generation pathways also existed in the cardiovascular system.H2S and SO2 had important physiological effects in the cardio-vascular system including vasorelaxation and myocardial negative inotropic effect.The pathophysiological effects of H2S and SO2 in the cardiovascular system have been recognized,such as alleviating hyperten-sion and pulmonary hypertension,inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis,and protecting against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I /R)injury and isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury.Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP )channel,L-type calcium (L-Ca2 +)channel,cGMP,NF-κB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway and so on participated in the biological effects of H2S and SO2 .The above findings suggested that H2S and SO2 were important endogenous gaseous signaling mole-cules in the cardiovascular system,which provided a new way to elucidate the pathogenesis and therapeu-tic targets of cardiovascular diseases.