2025/07/01 by Richa Verma, M.W. Fu, Hassan Mustafa Arif +6 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Fibroblast Growth Factor Research #Obstructive Sleep Apnea Research #Sulfur Compounds in Biology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s42003-025-08353-9
openalex publication_date 2025/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Abstract Therapeutical application of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is limited due to the lack of delivery routes for specific organs and the rapid and wide dispersal of H 2 S in vivo. While H 2 S shows adipogenic effects in vitro, its in vivo impacts on obesity remain unclear. This study applies a H 2 S-slow-releasing hydrogel (H 2 S gel) to deliver H 2 S locally in subcutaneous adipose tissue and examines local lipid accumulation in mice. H 2 S is released from H 2 S gels within 6 h and lasts for 72 h, elevating H 2 S levels in local adipose tissue but not in the plasma. Localized H 2 S gel delivery causes significant lipid accumulation and larger lipid droplet diameter in mouse adipose tissues. The expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, adiponectin, and perilipin are all upregulated by H 2 S gel injections. Local delivery and retention of H 2 S in adipose tissues increase lipid accumulation more in wild-type than in cystathionine-γ-lyase knockout mice. This study confirms the feasibility of selectively delivering H 2 S via injectable hydrogels and their effectiveness in regulating targeted tissue functions. Furthermore, this work deepens our understanding of the role of H 2 S in obesity development under physiological conditions and offers a practical implementation strategy for H 2 S-based therapeutic interventions.