Hydrogen Sulfide: Recent Progression and Perspectives for the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

• Main Authors: Hai-Jian Sun, Zhi-Yuan Wu, Lei Cao, Meng-Yuan Zhu, Teng-Teng Liu, Lei Guo, Ye Lin, Xiao-Wei Nie, Jin-Song Bian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-08-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: hydrogen sulfide; renal physiology; oxidative stress; renin-angiotensin system; diabetic nephropathy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/15/2857

Diabetic kidney disease develops in approximately 40% of diabetic patients and is a major cause of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and end stage kidney disease (ESKD) worldwide. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), the third gasotransmitter after nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), is synthesized in nearly all organs, including the kidney. Though studies on H₂S regulation of renal physiology and pathophysiology are still in its infancy, emerging evidence shows that H₂S production by renal cells is reduced under disease states and H₂S donors ameliorate kidney injury. Specifically, aberrant H₂S level is implicated in various renal pathological conditions including diabetic nephropathy. This review presents the roles of H₂S in diabetic renal disease and the underlying mechanisms for the protective effects of H₂S against diabetic renal damage. H₂S may serve as fundamental strategies to treat diabetic kidney disease. These H₂S treatment modalities include precursors for H₂S synthesis, H₂S donors, and natural plant-derived compounds. Despite accumulating evidence from experimental studies suggests the potential role of the H₂S signaling pathway in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy, these results need further clinical translation. Expanding understanding of H₂S in the kidney may be vital to translate H₂S to be a novel therapy for diabetic renal disease.