Hydrogen sulfide protects H9c2 cardiomyoblasts against H2O2-induced apoptosis

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2019;52(4):e7626. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X20187626. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive chemical species that may cause irreversible tissue damage, and play a critical role in cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that acts as a ROS scavenger with cardio-protective effects. In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of H2S against H2O2-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were treated with H2S (100 μM) 24 h before challenging with H2O2 (100 μM). Apoptosis was then assessed by annexin V and PI, and mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using a fluorescent probe, JC-1. Our results revealed that H2S improved cell viability, reduced the apoptotic rate, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. An increased Bcl-2 to Bax ratio was also seen in myocytes treated with H2S after H2O2-induced stress. Our findings indicated a therapeutic potential for H2S in preventing myocyte death following ischemia/reperfusion.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Hydrogen Peroxide*
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
  • Myoblasts, Cardiac / drug effects*
  • Myoblasts, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sulfides / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sulfides
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • sodium bisulfide
  • Hydrogen Sulfide