Hydrogen sulfide treatment reduces blood pressure and oxidative stress in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is increasingly recognized as a gasotransmitter with protective effects in the cardiovascular system. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of chronic NaHS treatment on blood pressure, vascular function and oxidative stress in an in vivo model of hypertension and oxidative stress. Male C57Bl6/J mice were rendered hypertensive with 0.7 mg kg-1 per day angiotensin II (AngII) for 14 days administered via implanted mini-pumps. The mice were treated with NaHS (10 mumol kg-1 per day) to deliver H2S or an inhibitor of cystathionine-gamma-lyase, DL-propargylglycine (PPG 30 mg kg-1 per day) via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Systolic blood pressure was measured and vascular function examined by myography. Vascular superoxide production was measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. AngII infusion significantly increased systolic blood pressure (P