Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases

Skin diseases constitute a major health problem affecting a high proportion of the population every day and have different aetiologies that include inflammation, infections, and tumours. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous signalling molecule recognized as a gasotransmitter together with NO and carbon monoxide. Under physiological conditions, H2S is produced in the skin by enzymic pathways and plays a physiological role in a variety of functions, such as vasodilatation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Alterations of H2S production are implicated in a variety of dermatological diseases, such as psoriasis, melanoma, and other dermatoses. On the other hand, H2S-releasing-based therapies based on H2S donor compounds are being developed to treat some of these situations. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the role of H2S in the normal skin and its clinical and pathological significance, as well as the therapeutic potential of different H2S donors for treatment of skin diseases. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc