Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can induce a hypometabolic, hibernation-like state in small mammals when given in sublethal concentrations. Hibernating animals undergo a repetitive cycle of cooling (torpor) and rewarming without reperfusion injury or other ill effects. Recently, we observed in the ductus deferens cells of the Syrian hamster (hibernating animal) that one of the protective mechanisms against hypothermia-rewarming injury consists of endogenous production of H2S through the enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). We also showed that endogenous H2S is highly produced during torpor in hibernating hamsters and less produced when metabolism is normalized. Therefore in this study, we investigated the role of CBS and H2S in the induction of torpor and renal protection by blocking the CBS enzyme during torpor in hamsters. Our results show that hamsters during hibernation are able to preserve their kidney integrity through activation of CBS enzyme leading to endogenous H2S production under the extreme physiological conditions of torpor. The results demonstrate profound protective effects of CBS/H2S pathway on survival, renal function, and inflammation during hibernation. These findings might have therapeutic potential to protect kidneys that suffer from hypoxia during transplantation, ischemia–reperfusion and other related clinical conditions.
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