Gasotransmitters: Physiological Role and Involvement in the Pathogenesis of the Diseases

In recent decades, it has been found the existence of a new class of biologically active substances - gaseous mediators (gasotransmitters), performing in the cells the signaling function and with high specificity involved in the intercellular and intracellular communication. This review characterizes the main gasotransmitters: nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and polysulfides. Their physiological role and involvement in the pathogenesis of diseases is described. Basic information about main gasotransmitters is generalized in the original table. Nitrate-Nitrite background, which is a chemical background of the existence of modern man, affects the intra- and intercellular signaling system, alters the ultrastructure of neurons, neuron-neuron and neuron-glia interaction, eliminates the effects of endogenous gasotransmitters and affects the average life expectancy. In accordance with the principle of cyclicity is proposed and substantiated the hypothesis of the existence of “hydrogen sulfide cycle”, combining three sulfur-containing gasotransmitters. It is suggested that the cyclic organization of gasotransmitters in the cells and the whole body can be due to the existence of a global principle of cyclicity, which can spread its influence on almost all the structural and functional levels in the animate and inanimate nature.