Abstract
The importance of hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in the regulation of multiple physiological functions has been clearly recognized in the over 20 years since it was first identified as a novel gasotransmitter. In bone tissue H(2)S exerts a cytoprotective effect and promotes bone formation. Just recently, the scientific community has begun to appreciate its role as a therapeutic agent in bone pathologies. Pharmacological administration of H(2)S achieved encouraging results in preclinical studies in the treatment of systemic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis; however, a local delivery of H(2)S at sites of bone damage may provide additional opportunities of treatment. Here, we highlight how H(2)S stimulates multiple signaling pathways involved in various stages of the processes of bone repair. Moreover, we discuss how material science and chemistry have recently developed biomaterials and H(2)S-donors with improved features, laying the ground for the development of H(2)S-releasing devices for bone regenerative medicine. This review is intended to give a state-of-the-art description of the pro-regenerative properties of H(2)S, with a focus on bone tissue, and to discuss the potential of H(2)S-releasing scaffolds as a support for bone repair.