Chapter 7
Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Zahra Bahadoran, Parvin Mirmiran and Asghar Ghasemi
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H
2S) is an important gasotransmitter with diverse biological actions in the body and has been receiving much attention over the last two decades. It has been characterized as a key regulator of cardiovascular homoeostasis, cell growth and differentiation, mitochondrial biogenesis, adipose tissue metabolism, inflammation and liver function. H
2S-donor molecules have hence been considered as being potential therapeutic options for a variety of human diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. It has been shown that huge amount of endogenous H
2S originates in the liver, and may be involved in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. H
2S is considered as an important mediator of carbohydrate homeostasis. H
2S production and bioavailability are impaired during development of obesity, diabetes and its complications, highlights the potential therapeutic effects of H
2S in metabolic syndrome. This issue is however controversial due to some findings that show increased H
2S disturbs pancreatic β-cell function and may be responsible for reduced insulin secretion. H
2S also contributes to increased blood glucose levels by accelerating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, effects which could intensify hyperglycemia in diabetes. Furthermore, reduced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was observed following treatment of adipocytes with H
2S; in contrast, the protective effect of H
2S on β-cell function against a high-fat diet, as well as its insulin-sensitizing properties has been reported in both in vitro and in vivo models of insulin resistance. Regarding the increasing interest in therapeutic applications of H
2S-donors in cardiometabolic disorders, its potential unexpected effects on glucose/insulin metabolism, especially in the case of diabetes, should be considered. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge available on exogenous and endogenous H
2S and carbohydrate metabolism, including both regulation of hepatic glucose production and hepatic and peripheral glucose uptake and β-cell function.
Total Pages: 226-258 (33)
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