Research Advances in Hydrogen Sulfide and Diabetes Mellitus as Well as Diabetic Complications

: Diabetes and its complications continue to be an increasing global health problem. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)has emerged as the third gasotransmitter following the nitric oxide and carbon monoxide in the body, and plays an important role in both physiology and pathophysiology. Recent work has suggested important roles for H2S in the regulation of pancreatic β-cell function, as well as development of insulin resistance and diabetic complications. Targeting H2S represents a novel therapeutic approach in diabetes and its associated complications. This review article summarizes the current body of evidence regarding the role of H2S in diabetes mellitus, and especially in its associated vascular complications, as well as the underlying signaling mechanisms.