OBJECTIVE: Sulfur dioxide was considered to be toxic and detrimental to human health. However, this review highlights recent advances that suggest sulfur dioxide might be a novel endogenous gaseous signaling molecule involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions. DATA SOURCES: The data used in this review were mainly from the studies reported in Medline and PubMed published from 1986 to 2010. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles and critical reviews selected were relevant to exogenous and endogenous sulfur dioxide. RESULTS: The sulfur dioxide/aspartate amino transferase pathway is endogenously generated in the cardiovascular system, and sulfur dioxide shows broad bioactive effects, such as antihypertension, vasodilation, and amelioration of vascular remodeling. A disturbed sulfur dioxide/aspartate amino transferase pathway is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension, athrosclerosis, spontaneous hypertension and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, in experimental studies the prognosis of these cardiovascular diseases can be improved by targeting endogenous sulfur dioxide. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that sulfur dioxide is a novel endogenous gaseous signaling molecule involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions.
OBJECTIVE:Sulfur dioxide was considered to be toxic and detrimental to human health. However, this review highlights recent advances that suggest sulfur dioxide might be a novel endogenous gaseous signaling molecule involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions. DATA SOURCES: The data used in this review were mainly from the studies reported in Medline and PubMed published from 1986 to 2010. STUDY SELECTION: Original articles and critical reviews selected were relevant to exogenous and endogenous sulfur dioxide. RESULTS: The sulfur dioxide/aspartate amino transferase pathway is endogenously generated in the cardiovascular system, and sulfur dioxide shows broad bioactive effects, such as antihypertension, vasodilation, and amelioration of vascular remodeling. A disturbed sulfur dioxide/aspartate amino transferase pathway is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension, athrosclerosis, spontaneous hypertension and hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Furthermore, in experimental studies the prognosis of these cardiovascular diseases can be improved by targeting endogenous sulfur dioxide. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that sulfur dioxide is a novel endogenous gaseous signaling molecule involved in the regulation of cardiovascular functions.