The cardioprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress and the Nrf2 signaling pathway: A review.

Cardiac diseases are emerging due to lifestyle, urbanization, and the accelerated aging process. Oxidative stress has been associated with cardiac injury progression through interference with antioxidant strategies and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) is generated endogenously from l-cysteine in various tissues including heart tissue. Pharmacological evaluation of H2 S has suggested a potential role for H2 S against diabetic cardiomyopathy, ischemia/reperfusion injury, myocardial infarction, and cardiotoxicity. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity is crucial for cell survival in response to oxidative stress. H2 S up-regulates Nrf2 expression and its related signaling pathway in myocytes. H2 S also suppresses the expression and activity of ER stress-related proteins. H2 S has been reported to improve various cardiac conditions through antioxidant and anti-ER stress-related activities.