Attenuation of inflammatory responses by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in ischemia/reperfusion injury

Cellular and tissue injury induced by ischemia is often exacerbated by restoring perfusion to the affected organ system. The injury, termed ischemia-reperfusion injury, is mediated in large part by the inflammatory response generated in the setting of reperfusion. Recent research has demonstrated that the administration of hydrogen sulfide as a therapeutic agent in the setting of ischemia-reperfusion can markedly attenuate the inflammatory response with subsequent mitigation of tissue injury and improved function. This beneficial anti-inflammatory effect has been observed in multiple organ systems, subject to ischemia-reperfusion injury, the details of which are the subject of this chapter.