Hydrogen sulfide prevents H2O2-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells through SIRT1 activation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the attenuation of endothelial cell senescence by H2S and to explore the mechanisms underlying the anti-aging effects of H2S. Senescence was induced in human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) by incubation in 25 mu mol/l H2O2 for 1 h. Senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activity was examined to determine the effects of H2S on senescent HUVECs. The results indicated that SA-beta-gal activity in the H2O2-treated HUVECs was 11.2 +/- 1.06%, which was attenuated in the NaHS group. Pretreatment with nicotinamide (NAM), a sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) inhibitor, inhibited the reduction in senescence associated with H2S. Immunoblot analyses revealed that SIRT1 levels in senescent HUVECs treated with NaHS (60 mu M) were indistinguishable from controls; however, analyses of SIRT1 activity indicated that SIRT1 enzyme activity was enhanced. In addition, we found that H2S improves the function of senescent HUVECs. The present study demonstrated that H2S protects against HUVEC senescence, potentially through modulation of SIRT1 activity. Furthermore, this study establishes a novel endothelial protective effect of H2S.