Hydrogen sulfide as an effective and specific novel therapy for acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been recognized as a toxic gas and environment pollutant. So, it is seldom regarded as a therapeutic gas. H(2)S has been recognized recently as a novel gaseous messenger and serves as an important neuromodulator in the central nervous system. Many researches have been focused on the protective role of H(2)S in treatment of several diseases. Like nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), which are considered as two gaseous transmitters, H(2)S has been regarded as the third one. Recent studies provided evidence that H(2)S exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, which protected neurons, cardiomyocytes, pancreatic β-cells and vascular smooth muscle cells against oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). It has been known that multiple factors, including oxidative stress, free radicals and neuronal nitric oxide syntheses as well as abnormal inflammatory responses are involved in the mechanism underlying the brain injury after acute CO poisoning. Studies have shown that free radical scavengers can display neuroprotective properties. Therefore, we hypothesize that H(2)S might be an interesting potential strategy for curing acute CO poisoning.