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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Overview on hydrogen sulfide-mediated suppression of vascular calcification and hemoglobin/heme-mediated vascular

Tamás Gáll1, Péter Nagy2, Dorottya Garai3

  • 1Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary; ELKH-UD Vascular Pathophysiology Research Group, 11003, University of Debrecen, Hungary; Kálmán Laki Doctoral School, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.

Redox Biology
|October 14, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may protect against atherosclerosis by inhibiting hemoglobin oxidation within plaques. This review explores H2S's beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease progression and vascular calcification.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Hemorrhagic atherosclerotic plaques and calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD) significantly increase cardiovascular risk.
  • Red blood cell lysis releases hemoglobin (Hb), which oxidizes within plaques, promoting atherosclerosis.
  • Oxidized Hb and heme accumulation contribute to plaque instability and vascular calcification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on atherosclerosis and CAVD.
  • To highlight H2S's role in mitigating Hb/heme oxidation within atherosclerotic plaques.
  • To explore H2S's potential therapeutic benefits in cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies investigating H2S, hemoglobin oxidation, and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which cell-free Hb contributes to oxidative stress in plaques.
  • Examination of H2S's known physiological functions in vascular homeostasis.

Main Results:

  • Cell-free Hb undergoes oxidation to ferric and ferryl states, releasing heme and forming oxidized globin species.
  • Accumulation of methemoglobin (metHb) and ferryl-Hb is observed in atherosclerotic lesions.
  • Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has demonstrated the ability to suppress pro-atherogenic cellular responses linked to Hb oxidation.

Conclusions:

  • H2S may offer protective effects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting Hb/heme oxidation.
  • Understanding H2S's role in vascular homeostasis is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.
  • H2S warrants further investigation for its potential in managing atherosclerosis and CAVD.

Keywords:
HemeHemoglobin oxidationHydrogen sulfideValvular calcificationVascular calcification

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