H<sub>2</sub>S as a Bridge Linking Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Biology: A Possible Defense in the Fight against SARS-CoV-2 Infection?

The endothelium controls vascular homeostasis through a delicate balance between secretion of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors. The loss of physiological homeostasis leads to endothelial dysfunction, for which inflammatory events represent critical determinants. In this context, therapeutic approac...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Francesca Gorini, Serena Del Turco, Laura Sabatino, Melania Gaggini, Cristina Vassalle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Biomedicines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/9/1107
Description
Summary:The endothelium controls vascular homeostasis through a delicate balance between secretion of vasodilators and vasoconstrictors. The loss of physiological homeostasis leads to endothelial dysfunction, for which inflammatory events represent critical determinants. In this context, therapeutic approaches targeting inflammation-related vascular injury may help for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and a multitude of other conditions related to endothelium dysfunction, including COVID-19. In recent years, within the complexity of the inflammatory scenario related to loss of vessel integrity, hydrogen sulfide (H<sub>2</sub>S) has aroused great interest due to its importance in different signaling pathways at the endothelial level. In this review, we discuss the effects of H<sub>2</sub>S, a molecule which has been reported to demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, in addition to many other biological functions related to endothelium and sulfur-drugs as new possible therapeutic options in diseases involving vascular pathobiology, such as in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
ISSN:2227-9059