Association between serum hydrogen sulfide concentrations and dysglycemia: a population-based study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), a signaling gasotransmitter, is involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Here, we aimed to assess the potential association between serum H(2)S and dysglycemia in the framework of a population-based study. METHODS: Adults men and women with completed data (n = 798), who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2014–2017) were included in the study. Medians of fasting serum H(2)S concentration were compared across the glycemic status of the participants, defined as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), isolated impaired fasting glucose (IIFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IIGT), combined IFG-IGT, and normal glycemia [i.e., those with both normal fasting glucose (NFG) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT)]. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess potential associations between serum H(2)S and the defined glycemic status. RESULTS: Mean age of the participants was 45.1 ± 14.0 y, and 48.1% were men. Prevalence of T2DM, IIFG, IIGT, and combined IFG-IGT was 13.9, 9.1, 8.1, and 4.8% respectively. No significant difference was observed in serum H(2)S concentrations between the groups. Lower serum H(2)S (< 39.6 µmol/L) was associated with an increased chance of having IIGT (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.15–3.34) in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: Reduced serum H(2)S level may be associated with impaired glucose tolerance. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12902-022-00995-8.