Hydrogen sulfide in precision medicine: connecting basic science, sensing, and clinical application

Liu, Shuo1,*; Li, Yao1; Zhang, Yingqian2; Wang, Xingran1; Zhu, Linhan3

Author Information

1Hebei Key Laboratory of Advanced Laser Technology and Equipment, Center for Advanced Laser Technology, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China

2Departments of Respiration III, Hebei Children’s Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China

3Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

*Correspondence to: Shuo Liu, PhD, liushuo@hebut.edu.cn

Funding:This work was supported by National Science Foundation of China (No. 62475067), Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, China (Beijing Tianjin Hebei Basic Research Cooperation Special Project) (No. F2024202116), and Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department (No. CXY2024032).

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide, as a critical endogenous gasotransmitter, plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, respiratory dysfunctions, and cancer. The dynamic fluctuations in hydrogen sulfide concentration are closely associated with the onset and progression of these conditions. The precise monitoring of trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide in biological samples holds substantial value for elucidating disease mechanisms, developing diagnostic biomarkers, and enabling targeted therapies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current advancements in hydrogen sulfide detection technologies in medical applications, with a particular focus on the groundbreaking potential of novel spectroscopic techniques in medical diagnostics. This paper through an integrated research approach that bridges hydrogen sulfide biology, sensing technology, and clinical applications—particularly by utilizing breath and skin gas analysis as windows into metabolic and disease states. A core innovation presented in this work is the proposed optimization of the hydrogen sulfide-quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy technique for medical settings, which provides a transformative tool for non-invasive disease screening, precise detection, and targeted therapeutic research. The ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between basic research, sensor technology, and clinical needs, driving innovative applications of hydrogen sulfide in precision medicine.

摘要

硫化氢作为一种关键的内源性气体递质，在包括心血管疾病、神经退行性疾病、呼吸功能障碍和癌症等多种疾病的病理生理过程中发挥着重要作用。硫化氢浓度的动态波动与这些疾病的发生和发展密切相关。对生物样本中痕量硫化氢的精确监测，对于阐明疾病机制、开发生物标志物以及实现靶向治疗具有重要价值。本综述全面概述了硫化氢检测技术在医学应用领域的最新进展，特别关注新型光谱技术在医学诊断中的突破性潜力。本文通过一种整合的研究方法，将硫化氢生物学、传感技术和临床应用联系起来——特别是利用呼出气和皮肤气体分析作为窥视代谢和疾病状态的窗口。本项研究提出的一个核心创新点在于，针对医疗环境优化了硫化氢石英增强光声光谱技术，这为非侵入性疾病筛查、精确检测和靶向治疗研究提供了变革性的工具。其最终目标是弥合基础研究、传感器技术与临床需求之间的鸿沟，推动硫化氢在精准医学中的创新应用。