Pharmacological modulation of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) system by dietary H2S-donors: A novel promising strategy in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents the most common age-related metabolic disorder, and its management is becoming both a health and economic issue worldwide. Moreover, chronic hyperglycemia represents one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular complications. In the last years, the emerging evidence about the role of the endogenous gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the pathogenesis and progression of T2DM led to increasing interest in the pharmacological modulation of endogenous “H2S-system”. Indeed, H2S directly contributes to the homeostatic maintenance of blood glucose levels; moreover, it improves impaired angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction under hyperglycemic conditions. Moreover, H2S promotes significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, thus preventing hyperglycemia-induced vascular damage, diabetic nephropathy, and cardiomyopathy. Therefore, H2S-releasing molecules represent a promising strategy in both clinical management of T2DM and prevention of macro- and micro-vascular complications associated to hyperglycemia. Recently, growing attention has been focused on dietary organosulfur compounds. Among them, garlic polysulfides and isothiocyanates deriving from Brassicaceae have been recognized as H2S-donors of great pharmacological and nutraceutical interest. Therefore, a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring H2S-donors may pave the way to a more rational use of these nutraceuticals in the modulation of H2S homeostasis in T2DM.