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Updated: Mar 10, 2026
A Sensitive Visual Method for the Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide Producing Bacteria
Published on: June 27, 2022
Production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in human gingival tissue
Jiang Chun-Mei1, Chen Wu1, Meng Guo-Liang2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Objective:
Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently been shown to play an important role in inflammation, but the role of endogenous H2S in the human gingival tissue is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gingiva had enzymes for H2S synthesis, and whether the effect of these enzymes for H2S production changed with periodontal inflammation.
Design:
Gingival tissues were collected from patients undergoing periodontal operation including gingivitis, moderate chronic periodontitis, severe chronic periodontitis and normal controls. RT-PCR and western blotting were performed to measure mRNA and protein levels of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) for H2S production. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to detect the location of the enzymes. H2S levels and synthesis in gingival tissue were evaluated with modified methylene blue method.
Results:
The mRNA and protein of CBS and CSE were both expressed in human gingiva and raised significantly in moderate and severe periodontitis compared of that in healthy control. CBS, but not CSE, increased in gingivitis (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference of H2S level and synthesis among these groups (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
Both CBS and CSE were expressed in human gingival tissue. The mRNA and protein levels of CBS and CSE were up-regulated in periodontitis.
