Hydrogen sulfide in hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins

Abstract

Adverse environments occurring during kidney development may produce long-term programming effects, namely renal programming, to create increased vulnerability to the development of later-life hypertension and kidney disease. Conversely, reprogramming is a strategy aimed at reversing the programming processes in early life, even before the onset of clinical symptoms, which may counter the rising epidemic of hypertension and kidney disease. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the third gasotransmitter, plays a key role in blood pressure regulation and renal physiology. This review will first present the role of H2S in the renal system and provide evidence for the links between H2S signaling and the underlying mechanisms of renal programming, including the renin–angiotensin system, oxidative stress, nutrient-sensing signals, sodium transporters, and epigenetic regulation. This will be followed by potential H2S treatment modalities that may serve as reprogramming strategies to prevent hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins. These H2S treatment modalities include precursors for H2S synthesis, H2S donors, and natural plant-derived compounds. Despite emerging evidence from experimental studies in support of reprogramming strategies targeting the H2S signaling pathway to protect against hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins, these results need further clinical translation.