H2S and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

This just published study has indentified the upregulation of CBS and H2S from colonic bacteria as important signallers in visceral hypersensitivity associated with irritable bowel syndrome in a rat model. CBS plays an important role in the removal of homocysteine and synthesis of cysteine, a precursor of glutathione. DRG CBS-producing neurons are positive for TRPV1 and P2X3R establishing a role of nociception and H2S/CBS signaling of pain even without noticeable evidence of inflammatory processes. CBS neurons are an additional source of H2S in addition to sulfate-producing bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.




Xu, G. Y., Winston, J., Shenoy, M., Zhou, S., Chen, J., and Pasricha, P. (2009). The endogenous hydrogen sulfide producing enzyme cystathionine-beta synthase contributes to visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome. Molecular Pain, 5(1):44+. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5395457



Cystathionine ß – Synthase (CBS): The Sulfur Amino Acid Metabolism. http://www.uchsc.edu/cbs/cbsdata/cbs_02.htm