About this Research Topic

Background

Nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon monoxide (CO) represent a family of gaseous transmitters with peculiar biological functions. They are endogenously and enzymatically generated by specific machineries in different organ and tissues within the human body. The role of NO, H2S and CO has now been widely investigated in several settings; however, there are specific underlying mechanisms that are still unknown. In particular, recent findings have highlighted the possible interaction between these gaseous molecules in different pathways, modulating each other in their functions. In some cases, this is due to a simple chemical interaction, however, there is evidence that interplays can occur at different levels, regulating enzymatic activity or degradation of NO, H2S and/or CO.

The lack of clarified mechanisms behind the functions of NO, H2S and CO raises a key question in the view of cardiovascular disease, since all of them seems to participate in the control of homeostasis at vascular level. Therefore, there is no clear evidence on whether the lack or the excess of one or more of the three gaseous molecules could result in a specific disease. In other words, is the impairment in vascular and cardiac functions related to changes of single or multiple mediators? Is there any evidence of an interplay by two or more gaseous mediators taking place in the pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system?

This Research Topic aims to gain further insights into the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular function and control of diseases with respect to gaseous molecules NO, H2S and CO. Having better knowledge of the role of gaseous mediators within the body will provide more clear evidence on how to approach, from a pharmacological point of view, the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This is crucial as NO, H2S and CO, being gaseous, can freely diffuse within the cell membranes without specific carriers, thus generating interactions with multiple targets not necessarily close by.

We invite submissions in the forms of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, and Mini Reviews. We encourage submissions dealing with one or more of the following themes:
• Role of NO in cardiovascular diseases;
• Role of H2S in cardiovascular diseases;
• Role of CO in cardiovascular diseases;
• Interplay between gaseous molecules in cardiovascular disease;
• Novel inhibitors or donors of gaseous mediators in cardiovascular diseases management.

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, endothelium, hypertension, heart failure

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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