Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a naturally-occurring gasotransmitter with vasodilator and inflammatory modulating activity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin, diclofenac, and ibuprofen, are some of the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs available but exhibit significant side effects, particularly gastric damage, when used chronically. ATB-343 is a hybrid molecule of an H2S donor and the NSAID indomethacin. In rats, ATB-343 does not cause gastric damage or promote leukocyte adherence to vascular endothelium, effects which are observed with indomethacin treatment alone. These results indicate that H2S-releasing derivatives of NSAIDs may prove to be more effective anti-inflammatory agents than traditional NSAIDs alone.
