Function of gaseous hydrogen sulfide in liver fibrosis

Over the past few years, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has been shown to exert several biological functions in mammalian. The endogenous production of H(2)S is mainly mediated by cystathione β-synthase, cystathione γ-lyase and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase. These enzymes are broadly expressed in liver tissue and regulates liver function by working on a variety of molecular targets. As an important regulator of liver function, H(2)S is critically involved in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cancer. Targeting H(2)S-generating enzymes may be a therapeutic strategy for controlling liver diseases. This review described the function of H(2)S in liver disease and summarized recent characterized role of H(2)S in several cellular process of the liver.