Comparative characteristics of changes in the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the myocardium and liver under the influence of hydrogen sulfide donor

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.4.47-54

Keywords:

hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), hydrogen sulfide donor (NaHS), fatty acid composition, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, total lipids, liver, myocardium.

Abstract

Relevance. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is currently recognized as the third gas transmitter, along with nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, performing important signaling and regulatory functions in the cardiovascular and hepatobiliary systems. Numerous experimental studies have shown that exogenous H₂S donors, in particular sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), have pronounced cardio- and hepatoprotective effects, which are widely used in experimental models to study the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of this system. Their mechanisms of action include reducing the intensity of oxidative stress, normalizing the antioxidant system, modulating mitochondrial function, inhibiting apoptosis, and influencing key signaling pathways of inflammation and fibrogenesis.In the myocardium, the administration of NaHS in models of ischemia-reperfusion and cardiotoxicity contributes to a reduction in the area of necrosis, improvement in contractility, reduction in free radical damage, and restoration of energy metabolism. In the liver, NaHS has been shown to reduce steatosis and fibrosis, inhibit inflammasome activation, attenuate endoplasmic stress, and restore the balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic factors. Its positive effect has been proven in models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and ischemia-reperfusion. Domestic studies also confirm that the administration of NaHS changes the functional and metabolic state of the heart and liver and reduces the intensity of oxidative stress. Objective. To identify and compare changes in the fatty acid composition (FAC) of total lipids (TL) in the myocardium and liver of experimental animals (rats) under the influence of hydrogen sulfide donor. Methods. The materials for the studies were heart muscle and liver. The animals were removed from the experiment under general anesthesia by rapid decapitation. In this series of studies, the fatty acid composition (FAC) of total lipids (TL) in the myocardium and liver was determined in experimental animals. Methyl esters of fatty acids were studied using a Chrom-5 gas-liquid chromatograph (Laboratorni pristroje, Prague) with a flame ionization detector (FID). The results of the chromatographic analysis were recorded differentially. Results. Administration of hydrogen sulfide at a dose of 7.4 mg/kg leads to modification of the fatty acid composition of total lipids in liver and myocardial tissues, which consists in a decrease in the level of certain saturated fatty acids, an increase in the content of omega-3 PUFAs, and an increase in the omega-3/omega-6 ratio. This is a positive prognostic sign of changes in the fatty acid composition and characterizes the optimization of metabolic processes. Conclusion. Our results indicate that the introduction of hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) donor contributed to positive changes in the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the myocardium and liver. Under conditions of NaHS administration, the degree of reduction in saturated fatty acid content and changes in certain types of saturated fatty acids in the liver was more pronounced compared to the myocardium. The observed increase in the proportion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids along with a decrease in omega-6 levels indicates a shift towards a more favorable lipid profile.

References

  1. Li Z, Xia H, Sharp TE 3rd, et al. Hydrogen Sulfide Modulates Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Heart Failure. Circ Res. 2023;132(2):154-66. doi: 10.1161/circresaha.122.321326.
  2. Munteanu C. Hydrogen Sulfide and Oxygen Homeostasis in Atherosclerosis: A Systematic Review from Molecular Biology to Therapeutic Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(9):8376 doi: 10.3390/ijms24098376.
  3. Zhang R, Shi W, Wu X, Yu Q, Xiao Y. Application of hydrogen sulfide donor conjugates in different diseases. Nitric Oxide. 2025;154:128-39. doi: 10.1016/j.niox.2024.11.008.
  4. Zhang W, Zhang Y, Xia Y, Feng G, Wang Y, Wei C, Tang A, Song K, Qiu R, Wu Y, Jin S. Choline Induced Cardiac Dysfunction by Inhibiting the Production of Endogenous Hydrogen Sulfide in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Physiol Res. 2023;72:719-30. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.935075.
  5. Karwi QG, Whiteman M, Wood ME, Torregrossa R, Baxter GF. Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of hydrogen sulfide donors in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Pharmacol Ther. 2016;165:100-19.
  6. Heusch G, et al. Hydrogen sulfide, myocardial function and cardioprotection: a review of current preclinical data. Redox Biol. 2023;67:102894. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2023.
  7. Wallace JL, Wang R. Hydrogen sulfide-based therapeutics: exploiting a unique but ubiquitous gasotransmitter. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2015;14(5):329-45. doi: 10.1038/nrd4433.
  8. Pu Y, Zhang L, Li X, et al. The therapeutic potential of hydrogen sulfide and its donors in vascular diseases. Vasc Pharmacol. 2025;123:105-15. doi:10.1016/j.vph.2024.09.001.
  9. Sun HJ, Wu ZY, Nie XW, Bian JS. Role of hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides in liver diseases: mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Redox Biol. 2021;41:101918.
  10. Xu S, Zhang Y, Li H, et al. Hydrogen sulfide: Recent development of its dual donors and hybrid drugs. Med Chem Rev. 2023;45(3):210-22. doi:10.1016/j.medchemrev.2023.
  11. Szabo C, Papapetropoulos A. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. CII: Pharmacological modulation of H₂S levels: H₂S donors and H₂S biosynthesis inhibitors. Pharmacol Rev. 2017;69(4):497-564.
  12. European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Stientific Purposes. Strasburg: Council of Europe. 1986;123:52. Available from: https://rm.coe.int/ 168007a67b.
  13. Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes. Off J Eur Union. 2010;53(L276):33–79.
  14. Skovgaard N, Gouliaev A, Aalling M, Simonsen U. The role of endogenous H2S in cardiovascular physiology. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2011; 12(9):1385-93. doi: 10.2174/138920111798280956
  15. Tang G, Zhang L, Yang G, Wu L, Wang R. Hydrogen sulfide-induced inhibition of L-type Ca2+ channels and insulin secretion in mouse pancreatic beta cells. Diabetologia. 2013;56(3):533-41. doi: 10.1007/s00125-012-2806-8.
  16. Rivis YF, Shelevach AV, Fedak VV, Gopanenko OO, Saranchuk II. [Quantitative chromatographic methods for determining individual lipids and fatty acids in biological material]. Lviv: Spolom; 2017. 160 p. Ukrainian.
  17. Rodgers JL, Nicewander WA. Thirteen ways to look at the correlation coefficient. Am statist. 1988;42(1):59-66.
  18. Marcus MD, Link MS. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Arrhythmias. Circulation. 2024;150(6):488-503. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.123.065769.
  19. Myhre PL, Berge T, Kalstad AA, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements and risk of atrial fibrillation and 'micro-atrial fibrillation': A secondary analysis from the OMEMI trial. Clin Nutr. 2023; 42(9):1657-60. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.07.002.
  20. Gencer B, Djousse L, Al-Ramady OT, Cook NR, Manson JE, Albert CM. Effect of Long-Term Marine ɷ-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Randomized Controlled Trials of Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Circulation. 2021;144(25):1981-90. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.055654.
  21. Lee CH, Fu Y, Yang SJ, Chi CC. Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2769. doi: 10.3390/nu12092769.
  22. Puri P, Wiest MM, Cheung O, et al. The plasma lipidomic signature of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatology. 2009;50(6):1827-38. doi: 10.1002/hep.23229.
  23. Calder PC. Marine omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: Effects, mechanisms and clinical relevance. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015; 1851(4):469-84. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.08.010.
  24. Szeiffova Bacova B, Viczenczova C, Andelova K, et al. Antiarrhythmic Effects of Melatonin and Omega-3 Are Linked with Protection of Myocardial Cx43 Topology and Suppression of Fibrosis in Catecholamine Stressed Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(6):546. doi: 10.3390/antiox9060546.
  25. Hemmati R, Bahrami Zanjanbar D, Shishesaz MI, Soleimani A, Yari T. The impact of Omega-3 supplementation on arrhythmia reduction in acute coronary syndrome patients: a randomized clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2025;22(1):173-80. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2024-0427.
  26. Baumgartner P, Reiner MF, Wiencierz A, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Heart Rhythm, Rate, and Variability in Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Heart Assoc. 2023;12(11):e027646. doi: 10.1161/ jaha.122.027646.
  27. Le Jan D, Siliman Misha M, Destrumelle S, et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Vitamin D Supplementations Partially Reversed Metabolic Disorders and Restored Gut Microbiota in Obese Wistar Rats. Biology (Basel). 2024;13(12):1070. doi: 10.3390/biology 13121070.
  28. Son W, Brown K, Persinger A, et al. Effect of Omega-3 Rich High-Fat Diet on Markers of Tissue Lipid Metabolism in Glucocorticoid-Treated Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(14):11492. doi: 10.3390/ ijms241411492.
  29. Ahmadi AR, Shirani F, Abiri B, Siavash M, Haghighi S, Akbari M. Impact of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on the gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-γ, α and fibroblast growth factor-21 serum levels: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of clinical trials. Front Nutr. 2023;10:1202688. doi: 10.3389/ fnut.2023.1202688.
  30. Joerg R, Itariu BK, Amor M, et al. The effect of long-chain n-3 PUFA on liver transcriptome in human obesity. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2025;204:102663. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2024. 102663.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Kovalchuk , I., & Savytska , M. (2025). Comparative characteristics of changes in the fatty acid composition of total lipids in the myocardium and liver under the influence of hydrogen sulfide donor. Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 19(4), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.4.47-54

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2025)

Section

Статті

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

 The authors reserve the right to authorship of their work and transfer to the Journal the right to the first publication of this work under the terms of a license Creative commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), which allows other people to freely distribute the published work with a mandatory reference to the authors of the original work and the first publication of the work in this journal.
        By submitting a manuscript to the editorial office of the Journal ‘Morphologia’ authors agree to transfer the rights to protect and use the manuscript (all supplemental materials, particularly protected objects such as photos, drawings, diagrams, tables, etc.), including the reproduction in the press and distribution via the Internet; translation of the manuscript into any language; export and import of journal copies with the Authors’ article in order to make it available for public. Authors convey the rights mentioned above to the editorial office without any temporal or territorial limitation all over the world. 
        The Authors guarantee that they have the exclusive rights to use the material transferred to editorial office. Editors are not responsible to third parties for contraventions of warranty given by the Authors. The considered rights are transferred to the editorial office since the moment when the current issue is signed for publishing. Reproduction of materials published in the Journal by other individuals and legal entities is possible only with the consent of Editorial office, with the obligatory indication of the full bibliographic reference of the primary publication. The Authors reserve the right to use the published material, its fragments and parts for teaching materials, oral presentations, dissertation thesis prepararion with obligatory bibliographic citation of the original paper. Electron copy of the published article, downloaded from official journal web-site in .pdf format may be put by authors on the official web-site of their institutions, any other official resources with open access.