H2S, a novel therapeutic target in renal-associated diseases?

For more than a century, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been regarded as a toxic gas. Recently, the understanding of the biological effects of H2S has been changed. This review surveys the growing recognition of H2S as an endogenous signaling molecule in mammals, with emphasis on its physiological and pathological pathways in the urinary system. This article reviews recent progress of basic and pharmacological researches related to endogenous H2S in urinary system, including the regulatory effects of H2S in the process of antioxidant, inflammation, cellular matrix remodeling and ion channels, and the role of endogenous H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renal and urogenital disorders.