Vascular effects of H2S-donors: Fluorimetric detection of H2S generation and ion channel activation in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) evokes vascular effects through several mechanisms including in wide part the activation of some ion channels such as ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and voltage-gated Kv7 potassium channels. Electrophysiological methods are very accurate, but they require high expertise and high specialized equipment. A more manageable fluorimetric technique which allows to record the membrane potential variations by the employment of an anionic bis-oxonol dye named DiBac4(3) with the administration of different blockers of several potassium channels could be useful to discover the targets of H2S-induced vascular hyperpolarization. Coupled with this technique, a fluorimetric detection (by the use of WSP-1 dye) of H2S generation in human vascular smooth muscle cells after H2S-donor administration could confirm the ability of these molecules to evoke the hyperpolarizing effect through the H2S release.