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 (K_ATP) 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.