Hydrogen Sulfide in Musculoskeletal Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

Musculoskeletal diseases seriously affect global health, but their importance is greatly underestimated. These diseases often afflict the elderly, leading to disability, paralysis, and other complications. Hydrogen sulfide (HS) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of musculoskeletal diseases, which may have potential therapeutic significance for these diseases. Recently, it has been found that many musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoporosis, periodontitis, muscle atrophy, muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury, muscle contraction under high fever, arthritis, and disc herniation, can be alleviated by treatment with HS. HS may be conducive to the development of multiple myeloma. The mechanism of action of HS in the musculoskeletal system has been partly elucidated. A variety of HS donors and nano-delivery systems provide promising prospects for HS-based therapies. Related research remains at the level of cell or animal experiments, but clinical research is lacking. The roles of HS in more musculoskeletal disorders remain largely unknown. The serious consequences of musculoskeletal diseases have not been widely concerned. Targeted delivery of HS remains a challenging task in musculoskeletal diseases. Develop therapeutic drugs for musculoskeletal diseases based on HS and test their safety, efficacy, and tolerance. Explore the combination of current drugs for musculoskeletal diseases with HS-releasing components to improve the therapeutic efficacy and avoid side effects. Carry out relevant clinical trials to verify the possibility of its widespread use. 42, 321-340.