Role of hydrogen sulfide in skeletal muscle biology and metabolism

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a novel endogenous gaseous signal transducer (gasotransmittor). Its emerging role in multiple facets of inter- and intra-cellular signaling as a metabolic, inflammatory, neuro and vascular modulator has been increasingly realized. Although H2S is known for its effects as an anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant molecule, the relevance of these effects in skeletal muscle biology during health and during metabolic syndromes is unclear. H2S has been implicated in vascular relaxation and vessel tone enhancement, which might lead to mitigation of vascular complications caused by the metabolic syndromes. Metabolic complications may also lead to mitochondrial remodeling by interfering with fusion and fission, therefore, leading to mitochondrial mitophagy and skeletal muscle myopathy. Mitochondrial protection by H2S enhancing treatments may mitigate deterioration of muscle function during metabolic syndromes. In addition, H2S might upregulate uncoupling proteins and might also cause browning of white fat, resulting in suppression of imbalanced cytokine signaling caused by abnormal fat accumulation. Likewise, as a source for H+ ions, it has the potential to augment anaerobic ATP synthesis. However, there is a need for studies to test these putative H2S benefits in different patho-physiological scenarios before its full-fledged usage as a therapeutic molecule. The present review highlights current knowledge with regard to exogenous and endogenous H2S roles in skeletal muscle biology, metabolism, exercise physiology and related metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity, and also provides future directions.

Characterizing a mouse model for evaluation of countermeasures against hydrogen sulfide–induced neurotoxicity and neurological sequelae

“…A consistent hallmark of H 2 S exposure that has been well characterized is the inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) of the electron transport chain . Our model recapitulates this biochemical effect: cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly decreased on all days of H 2 S exposure in both male and female mice.…”

Effect of hydrogen sulphide on inflammatory factors of the mitochondria after limb ischaemia‐reperfusion injury in rats

“…Limb ischaemia and reperfusion occurs when tissue is reperfused following a period of ischaemia, which is commonly encountered in surgical pathology, especially in peripheral vascular surgery that requires longer time and intraoperative blood flow . The process of lower limb IRI usually leads to degeneration, necrosis, or apoptosis of skeletal muscle tissue.…”

“…Limb ischaemia and reperfusion occurs when tissue is reperfused following a period of ischaemia, which is commonly encountered in surgical pathology, especially in peripheral vascular surgery that requires longer time and intraoperative blood flow. [8][9][10] The process of lower limb IRI usually leads to degeneration, necrosis, or apoptosis of skeletal muscle tissue. The current studies have shown that the IRI of skeletal muscle affects many different organ systems, including the heart, lung, and intestine, and there are several limitations in the clinical treatment of skeletal muscle ischaemia of perfusion injury.…”

Weighted Single-Step Genome-Wide Association Study for Growth Traits in Chinese Simmental Beef Cattle

“…SQOR is a protein coding gene that may interact with the inner mitochondrial membrane in a monotopic fashion and catalyze the mammalian metabolism of H2S (hydrogen sulfide) in human [19]. Veeranki and Tyagi et al [20] proposed a model where H2S may function in skeletal muscle wasting/fibrosis as a result of metabolic complications (such as from obesity), which implied that the features of H2S reversed muscle damage…”