Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter with physiologic functions similar to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. Exogenous treatment with H 2 S can induce a reversible hypometabolic state, which can protect organs from ischemia/reperfusion injury, but whether cystathionine g-lyase (CSE), which produces endogenous H 2 S, has similar protective effects is unknown. Here, human renal tissue revealed abundant expression of CSE, localized to glomeruli and the tubulointerstitium. Compared with wild-type mice, CSE knockout mice had markedly reduced renal production of H 2 S, and CSE deficiency associated with increased damage and mortality after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Treatment with exogenous H 2 S rescued CSE knockout mice from the injury and mortality associated with renal ischemia. In addition, overexpression of CSE in vitro reduced the amount of reactive oxygen species produced during stress. Last, the level of renal CSE mRNA at the time of organ procurement positively associated with GFR 14 days after transplantation. In summary, these results suggest that CSE protects against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury, likely by modulating oxidative stress through the production of H 2 S.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEHypertension is an important mediator of cardiac damage and remodelling. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenously produced gasotransmitter with cardioprotective properties. However, it is not yet in clinical use. We, therefore, investigated the protective effects of sodium thiosulfate (STS), a clinically applicable H2S donor substance, in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive cardiac disease in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHMale Sprague Dawley rats were infused with Ang II (435 ng kg min −1 ) or saline (control) for 3 weeks via s.c. placed osmotic minipumps. During these 3 weeks, rats received i.p. injections of either STS, NaHS or vehicle (0.9% NaCl). KEY RESULTSCompared with controls, Ang II infusion caused an increase in systolic and diastolic BP with associated cardiac damage as evidenced by cardiac hypertrophy, an increase in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mRNA, cardiac fibrosis and increased oxidative stress. Treatment with NaHS and STS prevented the development of hypertension and the increase in ANP mRNA levels. Furthermore, the degree of cardiac hypertrophy, the extent of histological fibrosis in combination with the expression of profibrotic genes and the levels of oxidative stress were all significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSAng II-induced hypertensive cardiac disease can be attenuated by treatment with STS and NaHS. Although BP regulation is the most plausible mechanism of cardiac protection, the antifibrotic and antioxidant properties of released sulfide may also contribute to their effects. Our data show that H2S might be a valuable addition to the already existing antihypertensive and cardioprotective therapies. LINKED ARTICLESThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx

Placental severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with a specific histiocytic intervillositis. Placental fibrin depositions can decrease the maternal-fetal interface causing fetal distress. Coronavirus disease 2019-related placental inflammation can lead to SARS-CoV-2-associated pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome.