Anti-apoptotic action of hydrogen sulfide is associated with early JNK inhibition.

Abstract

The mechanism of action of Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) as a novel endogenous gaseous messenger and potential cardioprotectant is not fully understood. We therefore investigated the prevention of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by exogenous H(2)S and the signaling pathways leading to cardioprotection. Using a simulated ischemia-reperfusion (I/Re) model with primary cultured rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, I/Re induced a rapid, time-dependent phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), with significant elevation at 0.25 h and a peak at 0.5h during reperfusion. NaHS (H(2)S donor) significantly inhibited the early phosphorylation of JNK, especially at 0.5h. Both NaHS and SP600125 (specific JNK inhibitor) decreased the number of apoptotic cells, lowered cytochrome C release and enhanced Bcl-2 expression. When NaHS application was delayed 1h after reperfusion, the inhibition of apoptosis by H(2)S was negated. In conclusion, this is novel evidence that early JNK inhibition during reperfusion is associated with H(2)S-mediated protection against cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

• Authors: Sa Shi, Qing-song Li, Hong Li, Li Zhang, Man Xu, Jia-li Cheng, Cheng-hai Peng, Chang-qing Xu, Ye Tian
• Journal: Cell biology international (Cell Biol Int) Vol. 33 Issue 10 Pg. 1095-101 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1095-8355 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19616639 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anthracenes
• Bax protein, rat
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• pyrazolanthrone
• Cytochromes c
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• Hydrogen Sulfide

Topics

• Animals
• Anthracenes (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects, physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytochromes c (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Cytoprotection
• Hydrogen Sulfide (pharmacology)
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Myocytes, Cardiac (drug effects, enzymology)
• Phosphorylation (drug effects, physiology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (drug effects, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (drug effects, metabolism)