The Antioxidant Properties of Glucosinolates in Cardiac Cells Are Independent of H 2 S Signaling.

The organic sulfur-containing compounds glucosinolates (GSLs) and the novel gasotransmitter H₂S are known to have cardioprotective effects. This study investigated the antioxidant effects and H₂S-releasing potential of three GSLs ((3E)-4-(methylsulfanyl)but-3-enyl GSL or glucoraphasatin, 4-hydroxybenzyl GSL or glucosinalbin, and (R_S)-6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl GSL or glucohesperin) in rat cardiac cells. It was found that all three GSLs had no effect on cardiac cell viability but were able to protect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and cell death. NaHS, a H₂S donor, also protected the cells from H₂O₂-stimulated oxidative stress and cell death. The GSLs alone or mixed with cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, H₂O₂, iron and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, or mouse liver lysates did not induce H₂S release. The addition of GSLs also did not alter endogenous H₂S levels in cardiac cells. H₂O₂ significantly induced cysteine oxidation in the cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) protein and inhibited the H₂S production rate. In conclusion, this study found that the three tested GSLs protect cardiomyocytes from oxidative stress and cell death but independently of H₂S signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]