Vol.28 No.3（2006 June）：434-436

Functions of Endogenous Gaseous Hydrogen Sulfide in Central Nervous System
Li-Xing Zhang^*, Xiao-Xia Wang¹, Shui-Jiang Song², Wei-Jun Jin
( College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China;¹College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; ² Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital,College of Medical Science, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310009, China )

Abstract Endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) can increase the production of cAMP, potentiate the exciting postsynaptic potential mediated by NMDA receptor and enhance the induction of hippocampal long-term potentiation. In central nervouse system, H₂S functions as a neuromodulator as well as a neuroprotectant. H₂S itself does not rescue cells from oxidative stress; instead it protects neurons by increasing the level of a major and potent antioxidant, reduced glutathione. The study of H₂S is very new. Understanding the mechanism of its physiological function may provide a new insight into its neurons protection.

Key words hydrogen sulfide; central nervous system; neuron protection

Received: April 22, 2005 Accepted: December 27, 2005

^*Corresponding author. Tel: 86-571-88320823, Fax: 86-571-88320765, E-mail: lxzhang@zjut.edu.cn