Lower Hydrogen Sulfide Is Associated with Cardiovascular Mortality, Which Involves cPKCβII/Akt Pathway in Chronic...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nephrology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients often exhibit increased cardiovascular risk.
• Plasma hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gasotransmitter with potential cardioprotective effects.
• The role of H₂S in cardiovascular complications of CHD requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between plasma H₂S levels and cardiovascular risk markers (pulse pressure, left ventricular mass index, intima-media thickness) in CHD patients.
• To determine if plasma H₂S predicts mortality in CHD patients.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying H₂S's cardiovascular protective effects in this population.

Main Methods:

• Plasma H₂S levels were quantified in 113 CHD patients using the zinc acetate reaction.
• Western blot analysis was employed to detect cPKCβII membrane translocation and Akt phosphorylation.
• Levels of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were measured.

Main Results:

• Lower plasma H₂S levels correlated with increased pulse pressure, left ventricular mass index, and intima-media thickness.
• Reduced H₂S was a significant predictor of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CHD patients.
• Low H₂S was associated with increased cPKCβII activation, decreased Akt phosphorylation, and elevated VCAM-1/ICAM-1 levels.

Conclusions:

• Diminished plasma H₂S is linked to heightened cardiovascular risk factors and mortality in CHD patients.
• The cardioprotective mechanism of H₂S may involve modulation of the cPKCβII/Akt pathway.
• Upregulation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 might contribute to the adverse effects of low H₂S in CHD.