Hydrogen Sulfide Switch Phenomenon Regulating Autophagy in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S), a novel gaseous signaling molecule, is a vital physiological signal in mammals. H ₂ S protects the cardiovascular system via modulation of vasodilation, vascular remodeling, and inhibition of vascular calcification, and also has anti-atherosclerosis properties. Autophagy is a lysosomal-mediated intracellular degradation mechanism for excessive or abnormal proteins and lipids. The contribution of autophagy to normal and disease-state cell physiology is extremely complicated. Autophagy acts as a double-edged sword in the cardiovascular system. It can defend against damage to cells caused by environmental changes and it can also induce active cell death under certain conditions. In recent years, accumulating evidence indicates that H ₂ S can up- or downregulate autophagy in many pathological processes, thereby switching from a harmful to a beneficial role. In this review, we summarize progress on understanding the mechanism by which H ₂ S regulates autophagy in cardiovascular disease. We also discuss a H ₂ S switch phenomenon that regulates autophagy and provides protection in cardiovascular diseases.