H 2 S protects against diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis by preventing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important messenger for its strong anti-inflammatory effects, which may be involved in multiple cardiovascular diseases. In our previous study, we revealed that H2S attenuates diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis through suppressing oxidative stress. Here we report that GYY4137, a H2S donor, reduced the plaque formation of aortic roots and the levels of both intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerotic cells and mouse models. The inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP1 were also significantly reduced by GYY4137. Mechanically, GYY4137 suppressed the activation of pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis conditions. Upon knockdown of NLRP3, the increase of ICAM1 and VCAM1 caused by high glucose and oxLDL could be reversed, indicating that H2S protected the endothelium by inhibiting the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome. In conclusion, our study indicates that GYY4137 effectively protects against the development of diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis by inhibiting inflammasome activation.