Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors in Common Kidney Diseases

Hydrogen sulfide (H S) plays a key role in the regulation of physiological processes in mammals. The decline in H S level has been reported in numerous renal disorders. In animal models of renal disorders, treatment with H S donors could restore H S levels and improve renal functions. H S donors suppress renal dysfunction by regulating autophagy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation through multiple signaling pathways, such as TRL4/NLRP3, AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin, transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor kappa B. In this review, we summarize recent developments in the effects of H S donors on the treatment of common renal diseases, including acute/chronic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, unilateral ureteral obstruction, glomerulosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, hyperhomocysteinemia, drug-induced nephrotoxicity, metal-induced nephrotoxicity, and urolithiasis. Novel H S donors can be designed and applied in the treatment of common renal diseases.