Inflamm-aging: Pharmacological modulation of the “H2S system” for the treatment of age-related cardiometabolic disorders

The research project carried out as part of this PhD course focused on the investigation and evaluation of the efficacy of new natural or synthetic molecules, capable of releasing hydrogen sulphide (H2S), against age-related cardiometabolic pathologies. The first molecule analyzed is 3-pyridyl-isothiocyanate. This synthetic molecule characterized by the presence of the isothiocyanate functional group was analyzed for its ability to release H2S both in cell-free and cellular environments. Subsequently its cardioprotective effects against myocardial damage has been evaluated. An accurate investigation focused on the evaluation of the H2S release capacity and the positive effects on the cardiometabolic profile of extracts or molecules deriving from Eruca sativa Mill. (ESM). In particular, the impact on the metabolic profile altered by a condition of metabolic syndrome induced in a mouse model by an extract from seeds of ESM has been described. Subsequently also its possible protective effect on the cardiovascular component was analyzed. Considering that Brassicaceae biosynthetize and store high levels of glucosinolates which, in turn, are converted into the corresponding isothiocyanates by myrosinase enzyme, the glucosinolate characteristic of ESM glucoerucin (GER) and the corresponding isothiocyanate erucin (ERU), have been carefully investigated for their ability to release H2S and for their beneficial effects on the cardiometabolic profile.