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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:156.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Editorials

Is H₂S a Stinky Remedy for Atherosclerosis?

Rui Wang

From Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.

Correspondence to Rui Wang, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, 955 Oliver Rd, Ontario P7B5E1, Canada. E-mail rwang@lakeheadu.ca

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

Atherosclerosis is a complex and chronic pathological state that adversely affects the structure of blood vessels. Vascular inflammation, endothelial damage, smooth muscle cell migration, foam cell accumulation, and lipid and cholesterol deposition contribute to different stages of plaque formation in large and medium-sized blood vessels. The consequential narrowing and stiffening of blood vessels restricts blood circulation and increases plaque thrombogenicity. Pathogenic causes that lead to these pathological changes in atherosclerosis have always been the center of attention, but we have not yet cleared the cloud on this issue.

See accompanying article on page 173

An ancient problem may have an ancient solution. A disease older than the history of mankind, atherosclerosis affects the health of various species in a much more profound fashion than other types of cardiovascular problems. Taking the fish as a case in point, whereas heart failure and hypertension are nonissues with them, fishes spontaneously develop atherosclerosis in their natural habitat regardless of what are on their menu. Even more ancient than the origin of atherosclerosis, production of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas by living organisms can be traced far back before the evolvement of the vascular system. Bacteria and archaea produce and use H₂S as the essential element for their survival and proliferation. In eukaryotes, H₂S is produced under the enzymatic actions of 2 pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes, cystathionine beta–synthase (CBS) and cystathionine -lyase (CSE).¹ Importantly, CSE is a major H₂S-producing enzyme in the cardiovascular system.²

Recent advance in our understanding of the biological importance . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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