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Sulfide dynamics at the gut-microbiota interface: diet, oxygen and redox interplay
1Departments of Biological Chemistry, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Gut Microbes
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) produced by gut microbes is vital for host-microbial metabolic symbiosis. Disruptions in H2S metabolism can lead to gut diseases and affect host energy balance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Metabolic Biochemistry
Background:
- The gut microbiome's unique biogeography is influenced by diet, host, and microbial metabolism.
- Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a key microbial metabolite in the lower gut, impacting host-epithelial cell interactions.
- Sulfide oxidation by host cells creates a hypoxic environment, favoring obligate anaerobes and butyrate production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of hydrogen sulfide in gut biogeography and host-microbial metabolic symbiosis.
- To discuss microbial pathways of sulfide generation and their interplay with host metabolism.
- To explore the impact of sulfide metabolism on host energy, redox balance, and disease states.
Main Methods:
- Bioenergetic studies on colon-derived cells to determine luminal free sulfide exposure.
- Review of microbial pathways for sulfide generation.
- Analysis of the interplay between dietary sulfur, host oxygen, and redox metabolism.
Main Results:
- Sulfide oxidation by host cells shapes a hypoxic gut environment, supporting beneficial anaerobes and butyrate production.
- Disruption of this metabolic symbiosis, when host sulfide oxidation capacity is exceeded, leads to negative health outcomes.
- Altered sulfide metabolism is linked to dysbiosis, gastrointestinal diseases, and potential metabolic state changes.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen sulfide plays a critical role in maintaining gut homeostasis and host energy metabolism.
- Dysregulation of sulfide metabolism contributes to gastrointestinal diseases.
- Further research into H2S metabolism could reveal therapeutic targets for gut disorders.
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