Roles of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors in Common Kidney Diseases

Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) plays a key role in the regulation of physiological processes in mammals. The decline in H(2)S level has been reported in numerous renal disorders. In animal models of renal disorders, treatment with H(2)S donors could restore H(2)S levels and improve renal functions. H(2)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(2)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(2)S donors can be designed and applied in the treatment of common renal diseases.