Fig. 2.

H₂S function in atherosclerosis.

The precipitating factors of atherosclerosis include endothelial damage, vascular inflammation, and smooth muscle proliferation. H₂S functions to attenuate leukocyte chemotaxis through down regulation of ICAM-1 and CX3CR1/CX3CL1. Moreover, H₂S inhibits foam cell formation through down regulating CD36, SR-A, and ACAT-1 surface markers and decreases oxLDL uptake in macrophage. Further, H₂S induces vascular smooth muscle apoptosis through up regulating ERK 1/2 and p21^Cip/WAF-1 and by down regulating cyclin D1.