Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide in Axes Between Gut and Other Organs

Significance: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a ubiquitous small gaseous signaling molecule, plays a critical role in various diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI) via reducing inflammation, inhibiting oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis. Recent Advances: Uncontrolled inflammation is closely related to pathological process of ischemic stroke, RA, MI, and IBD. Solid evidence has revealed the axes between gut and other organs like joint, brain, and heart, and indicated that H₂S-mediated anti-inflammatory effect against IBD, RA, MI, and ischemic stroke might be related to regulating the functions of axes between gut and other organs. Critical Issues: We reviewed endogenous H₂S biogenesis and the H₂S-releasing donors, and revealed the anti-inflammatory effects of H₂S in IBD, ischemic stroke, RA, and MI. Importantly, this review outlined the potential role of H₂S in the gut-joint axis, gut-brain axis, and gut-heart axis as a gasotransmitter. Future Direction: The rate, location, and timing of H₂S release from its donors determine its potential success or failure as a useful therapeutic agent and should be focused on in the future research. Therefore, there is still a need to explore internal and external sources monitoring and controlling H₂S concentration. Moreover, more efficient H₂S-releasing compounds are needed; a better understanding of their chemistry and properties should be further developed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 42, 341-360.