Naturally Occuring Hydrogen Sulfide May Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientists at the Peninsula Medical School and rheumatologists at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Trust in Exeter and funded by the local Northcott Medical Research Foundation have been studying hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies and located in the synovial fluid of the knee joint. This fluid protects our joint cavities by reducing friction of cartilage during movement.

In 2008, a breakthrough occurred when this very team of researchers created a new molecule that could release H2S in a controlled manner. Prior to this, H2S could not be delivered gradually; rather it had to be administered in one shot with a gas cylinder or sulfide salts and both methods were highly toxic and foul smelling.

Currently, researchers were able to examine samples of blood and knee-joint synovial fluid to determine the level of H2S in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and healthy individuals.

Results showed a distinct correlation between levels of H2S in the synovial fluid and inflammation in the joints. In particular, patients that suffered from rheumatoid arthritis had higher concentrations of H2S in their synovial fluid and levels up to four times higher in their bloodstream.

Higher H2S levels were associated with disease activity and lowered counts of inflammatory cells suggesting H2S may be a novel mediator made by the body to control inflammation. This is the first time that H2S has been shown to be present in the synovial fluid of joints.

This discovery provides hope for many people suffering with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory disease as new treatments using H2S may be on the horizon. Of course, medications currently exist to relieve symptoms, however many are typically associated with unpleasant side effects, such as deterioration of the stomach lining.

Dr. Whiteman added, "We are only just starting to unravel what H2S does in the body and how to manipulate it. Since H2S is naturally produced in our bodies by enzymes which use predominantly sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine, methionine and homocysteine, it may be possible to manipulate the activity of these enzymes to increase their activity, possibly by dietary means, to boost the body's ability to deal with inflammation and tissue damage. "

Some statistics regarding rheumatoid arthritis in the UK…

• 20,000 new cases are diagnosed yearly
  
• Almost 400,000 adults suffer from the disease
  
• It is more common in women than men
  
• Up to 4 out of 10 employees lose their jobs within five years of diagnosis
  
• 1 in 7 quit work within one year
  
• Ten million working days were lost in 2006 and 2007 as a result of musculoskeletal conditions, which cost £5.7 billion each year.
  
• More than 10 million adults consult their Physician each year with arthritis and related conditions.
  
• Roughly 15,000 children have ongoing problems with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and similar conditions.

'Rotten Eggs' Gas and Inflammation in Arthritic Joints

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