Hydrogen sulfide mitigates matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and neurovascular permeability in hyperhomocysteinemic mice

An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy), known as hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), was associated with neurovascular diseases. At physiological levels, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protected the neurovascular system. Because Hcy was also a precursor of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), we sought to test whether the H2S protected the brain during HHcy. Cystathionine-β-synthase heterozygous (CBS+/−) and wild type (WT) mice were supplemented with or without NaHS (30 μM/L, H2S donor) in drinking water. Blood flow and cerebral microvascular permeability in pial vessels were measured by intravital microscopy in WT, WT + NaHS, CBS−/+ and (CBS−/+) + NaHS-treated mice. The brain tissues were analyzed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) by Western blot and RT-PCR. The mRNA levels of CBS and cystathionine gamma lyase (CSE, enzyme responsible for conversion of Hcy to H2S) genes were measured by RT-PCR. The results showed a significant increase in MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-3 protein and mRNA in CBS (−/+) mice, while H2S treatment mitigated this increase. Interstitial localization of MMPs was also apparent through immunohistochemistry. A decrease in protein and mRNA expression of TIMP-4 was observed in CBS (−/+) mice. Microscopy data revealed increase in permeability in CBS (−/+) mice. These effects were ameliorated by H2S and suggested that physiological levels of H2S supplementation may have therapeutic potential against HHcy-induced microvascular permeability, in part, by normalizing the MMP/TIMP ratio in the brain.