Endpoint or Kinetic Measurement of Hydrogen Sulfide Production Capacity in Tissue Extracts.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is produced in cells and tissues via various enzymatic processes. H2S is an important signaling molecule in numerous biological processes, and deficiencies in endogenous H2S production are linked to cardiovascular and other health complications. Quantitation of steady-state H2S levels is challenging due to volatility of the gas and the need for specialized equipment. However, the capacity of an organ or tissue extract to produce H2S under optimized reaction conditions can be measured by a number of current assays that vary in sensitivity, specificity and throughput capacity. We developed a rapid, inexpensive, specific and relatively high-throughput method for quantitative detection of H2S production capacity from biological tissues. H2S released into the head space above a biological sample reacts with lead acetate to form lead sulfide, which is measured on a continuous basis using a plate reader or as an endpoint assay.