A Dinuclear Persulfide-Bridged Ruthenium Compound is a Hypoxia-Selective Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Donor

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gaseous molecule that has received attention for its role in biological processes and therapeutic potential in diseases, such as ischemic reperfusion injury. Despite its clinical relevance, delivery of H2S to biological systems is hampered by its toxicity at high concentrations. Herein, we report the first metal-based H2S donor that delivers this gas selectively to hypoxic cells. We further show that H2S release from this compound protects H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts from an in vitro model of ischemic reperfusion injury. These results validate the utility of redox-activated metal complexes as hypoxia-selective H2S-releasing agents for use as tools to study the role of this gaseous molecule in complex biological systems.

Automated summary

A metal-based H2S donor has been developed for selective delivery of H2S to hypoxic cells, showing potential protective effects against ischemic reperfusion injury in rat cardiomyoblasts. These findings demonstrate the utility of redox-activated metal complexes as hypoxia-selective H2S-releasing agents for studying the role of this gas in complex biological systems.