Circulating Levels of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in Patients with Age-Related Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter that promotes multiple biological effects in many organs and tissues. An imbalanced biosynthesis of H2S has been observed in animal models of age-related pathological conditions. However, the results from human studies are inconsistent. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis of studies searched in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases. We included observational studies on patients with age-related diseases showing levels of H2S in blood, plasma, or serum. All the analyses were carried out with R software. 31 studies were included in the systematic review and 21 in the meta-analysis. The circulating levels of H2S were significantly reduced in patients with progressive, chronic, and degenerative diseases compared with healthy people (standardized mean difference, SMD: −1.25; 95% confidence interval, CI: −1.98; −0.52). When we stratified results by type of disorder, we observed a significant reduction in circulating levels of H2S in patients with vascular disease (e.g., hypertension) (SMD: −1.32; 95% CI: −2.43; −0.22) or kidney disease (SMD: −2.24; 95% CI: −4.40; −0.08) compared with the control group. These results could support the potential use of compounds targeting the “H2S system” to slow down the progression of many diseases in the elderly.

Hydrogen Sulfide: An Emerging Regulator of Oxidative Stress and Cellular Homeostasis—A Comprehensive One-Year Review

“…Given its involvement in these diverse cellular processes, it is unsurprising that dysregulation of H 2 S production or metabolism has been linked to various pathological conditions. A decrease in H 2 S levels has been reported in several diseases, including cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and kidney disease [ 101 ]. On the other hand, excessive production of H 2 S has been linked to conditions, such as Down syndrome [ 102 ] and cancer [ 103 , 104 ], underscoring the importance of a delicate balance in H 2 S homeostasis and also the role of H2S in general cellular homeostasis ( Table 2 ).…”

The Role of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in Epigenetic Regulation of Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review

“…Its significance in neurodegeneration is an intriguing area of investigation, with the potential to reveal new therapeutic strategies [ 54 , 83 , 84 ]. By contextualizing the study of H 2 S within the framework of evolution and epigenetics, we obtain a deeper understanding of its complex physio-pathology [ 45 , 85 , 86 , 87 ].…”

Electrophilic Compounds in the Human Diet and Their Role in the Induction of the Transcription Factor NRF2

“…Eugenia Piragine and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis in 2023 to investigate H 2 S levels in patients with age-related diseases. The main finding was that patients with vascular or renal diseases, such as hypertension, showed a remarkable decrease in H 2 S levels compared with the control group, indicating lower circulating H 2 S levels in individuals with chronic and degenerative diseases compared with healthy individuals [ 150 ].…”