Background

The vascular endothelium represents a fundamental mechanical and biological barrier for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis along the entire vascular tree. Changes in its integrity are associated to several cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, all linked to the peculiar condition named endothelial dysfunction, which is referred to the loss of endothelial physiological functions, comprehending the regulation of vascular relaxation and/or cell redox balance, the inhibition of leukocyte infiltration and the production of NO. Among the endothelium-released vasoactive factors, in the last years hydrogen sulfide has been viewed as one of the main characters involved in the regulation of endothelium functionality, and many studies demonstrated that H2S behaves as a vasoprotective gasotransmitter in those cardiovascular diseases where endothelial dysfunction seems to be the central issue.

Aim

The role of hydrogen sulfide in endothelial dysfunction-related cardiovascular diseases is discussed in this review.

Key Scientific Concepts

Possible therapeutic approaches using molecules able to release H₂S.

中文翻译：

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硫化氢在内皮功能障碍中的作用：病理生理学和治疗方法

背景

血管内皮代表了一种基本的机械和生物屏障，用于维持整个血管树的血管稳态。其完整性的变化与几种心血管疾病有关，包括高血压、动脉粥样硬化、高同型半胱氨酸血症、糖尿病，所有这些都与称为内皮功能障碍的特殊病症有关，内皮功能障碍是指内皮生理功能的丧失，包括血管松弛和/或细胞氧化还原平衡，抑制白细胞浸润和一氧化氮的产生。在内皮释放的血管活性因子中，硫化氢近年来被视为参与调节内皮功能的主要特征之一，

目标

本综述讨论了硫化氢在内皮功能障碍相关心血管疾病中的作用。

关键科学概念

使用能够释放 H ₂ S的分子的可能治疗方法。