Myelin Disruption, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress Induced by Sulfite in the Striatum of Rats Are Mitigated by the pan-PPAR agonist Bezafibrate.

Sulfite predominantly accumulates in the brain of patients with isolated sulfite oxidase (ISOD) and molybdenum cofactor (MoCD) deficiencies. Patients present with severe neurological symptoms and basal ganglia alterations, the pathophysiology of which is not fully established. Therapies are ineffective. To elucidate the pathomechanisms of ISOD and MoCD, we investigated the effects of intrastriatal administration of sulfite on myelin structure, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in rat striatum. Sulfite administration decreased FluoromyelinTM and myelin basic protein staining, suggesting myelin abnormalities. Sulfite also increased the staining of NG2, a protein marker of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. In line with this, sulfite also reduced the viability of MO3.13 cells, which express oligodendroglial markers. Furthermore, sulfite altered the expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), indicating neuroinflammation and redox homeostasis disturbances. Iba1 staining, another marker of neuroinflammation, was also increased by sulfite. These data suggest that myelin changes and neuroinflammation induced by sulfite contribute to the pathophysiology of ISOD and MoCD. Notably, post-treatment with bezafibrate (BEZ), a pan-PPAR agonist, mitigated alterations in myelin markers and Iba1 staining, and IL-1ß, IL-6, iNOS and HO-1 expression in the striatum. MO3.13 cell viability decrease was further prevented. Moreover, pre-treatment with BEZ also attenuated some effects. These findings show the modulation of PPAR as a potential opportunity for therapeutic intervention in these disorders.

Sulfite altered permanganate effects on acetate-enriched short-chain fatty acids production during sludge anaerobic fermentation.

Anaerobic fermentation is a promising method for waste activated sludge (WAS) treatment, but ineffective solubilization and hydrolysis limit its application. The current study examined the function of sodium sulfite (SDS) in potassium permanganate (PP)-conditioned WAS fermentation for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) biosynthesis. The presence of SDS in the PP system (PP/SDS) reduced the positive effects of PP on total SCFAs yield (2755 versus 3471 mg COD/L), while effectively increasing the proportion of acetate (from 41 to 81 %). Not only did SDS decrease the promoting effects of PP on WAS solubilization and hydrolysis efficiency by 5-42 %, it also shifted microbial metabolic pathways to favor acetate production. In addition, the amino acid metabolism with acetate as end product was enhanced. Moreover, PP/SDS inhibited methanogenesis, resulting in an accumulation of acetate in high quantities. Thus, the current study a provided insight and direction for effective WAS treatment with acetate-enriched SCFAs production.

Evaluating the influence of operational parameters of pulsed light on wine related yeasts: focus on inter- and intra-specific variability sensitivity.

In oenology, there is a growing demand by consumers for wines produced with less inputs (such as sulphite, frequently used for microbial control). Emerging control methods for managing microorganisms in wine are widely studied. In this study, the efficiency of pulsed light (PL) treatment was investigated. A drop-platted system was used to evaluate the impact of three PL operational parameters: the fluence per flash, the total fluence and the flash frequency. Fluence per flash appeared to be a key parameter prior to total fluence, thus demonstrating the importance of the effect of peak voltage during PL treatments. The efficiency of PL treatment was assessed on 198 strains distributed amongst fourteen yeast species related to wine environment, and an important variability in PL response was observed. Brettanomyces bruxellensis strains were strongly sensitive to PL, with intraspecific variation. PL was then applied to red wines inoculated with 9 strains of B. bruxellensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lachancea thermotolerans. Results confirmed interspecific response variability and a higher sensitivity of B. bruxellensis species to PL. Wine treatments with a total fluence of 22.8 J cm-2 resulted in more than 6 log reduction for different B. bruxellensis strains. These results highlight the potential of PL for wine microbial stabilization.

The Role of Acetylcholine on the Effects of Different Doses of Sulfite in Learning and Memory.

In this study, the effects of different doses of sulfite on learning, memory, and long term potentiation as well as the relationship of these effects with acetylcholine pathways, Arc and synapsin 1 levels were investigated. Sixty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups as control, S100, and S260. Sodiummetabisulfite (S100;100 mg/kg/day, S260;260 mg/kg/day) was given by oral administration. Behavioral changes were evaluated. After long term potentiation recordings from the perforant pathway-dentate gyrus synapses, animals were sacrificed. Acetylcholinesterase activity, choline acetyltransferase activity, acetylcholine level as well as Arc and Synapsin 1 expressions were analyzed on the hippocampi. The total distance and average velocity values in the open field and Morris water maze tests increased in the sulfite groups, while the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test decreased compared to controls. Acetylcholine levels and choline acetyltransferase activity were also increased in the sulfite groups, while acetylcholinesterase activity was decreased compared to controls. Sulfite intake attenuated long term potentiation in the hippocampus. It has been observed that the excitatory postsynaptic potential slope and population spike amplitude of the field potentials obtained in sulfite groups decreased. This impairment was accompanied by a decrease in Arc and synapsin 1 expressions. In conclusion, it has been shown that sulfite intake in adults impairs learning and memory, possibly mediated by the cholinergic pathway. It is considered that the decrement in Arc and synapsin expressions may play a role in the mechanism underlying the impairment in long term potentiation caused by toxicity.

Sulfite-based pretreatment promotes volatile fatty acids production from microalgae: Performance, mechanism, and implication.

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production from anaerobic fermentation of microalgae is generally constrained by low organics solubilization and poor substrate-availability. In this study, sulfite-based pretreatment was developed to overcome such situation. Experimental results showed that the maximum concentration of VFAs (467.5 mg COD/g VSS) and corresponding acetate proportion (54.5%) was obtained at 200 mg sulfite-S/L with fermentation time of day 8, which was respectively 2.1- and 1.9-fold of control. It was found that after sulfite pretreatment, more and relatively easy biodegradable organics were released into liquid phase, providing available substrate for acid-producing bacteria. The rigid cell wall of microalgae was destroyed, evidenced by the decreased particle size and increased surface area, which made the microalgae more accessible for subsequent hydrolysis and acidification. Meanwhile, the sulfite-induced sulfate-reducing bacteria facilitated the acetate generation pathway. The accelerated activities of ß-glucanase, ß-glucosidase, and acetate kinase involved in anaerobic fermentation further validated the above results.

Sulfite preservatives effects on the mouth microbiome: Changes in viability, diversity and composition of microbiota.

OVERVIEW: Processed foods make up about 70 percent of the North American diet. Sulfites and other food preservatives are added to these foods largely to limit bacterial contamination. The mouth microbiota and its associated enzymes are the first to encounter food and therefore likely to be the most affected. METHODS: Eight saliva samples from ten individuals were exposed to two sulfite preservatives, sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite. One sample set was evaluated for bacteria composition utilizing 16s rRNA sequencing, and the number of viable cells in all sample sets was determined utilizing ATP assays at 10 and 40-minute exposure times. All untreated samples were analyzed for baseline lysozyme activity, and possible correlations between the number of viable cells and lysozyme activity. RESULTS: Sequencing indicated significant increases in alpha diversity with sodium bisulfite exposure and changes in relative abundance of 3 amplicon sequence variants (ASV). Sodium sulfite treated samples showed a significant decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a marginally significant change in alpha diversity, and a significant change in the relative abundance for Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and for 6 ASVs. Beta diversity didn't show separation between groups, however, all but one sample set was observed to be moving in the same direction under sodium sulfite treatment. ATP assays indicated a significant and consistent average decrease in activity ranging from 24-46% at both exposure times with both sulfites. Average initial rates of lysozyme activity between all individuals ranged from +/- 76% compared to individual variations of +/- 10-34%. No consistent, significant correlation was found between ATP and lysozyme activity in any sample sets. CONCLUSIONS: Sulfite preservatives, at concentrations regarded as safe by the FDA, alter the relative abundance and richness of the microbiota found in saliva, and decrease the number of viable cells, within 10 minutes of exposure.

Effects of sulfite treatment on the quality of black fungus.

In the present study, the color, total sugar, contents of soluble protein, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and soluble vitamins, and other indicators of black fungus treated with sodium metabisulfite under different conditions were measured to evaluate the sensory and nutritional changes in black fungus after sulfite treatment. The results showed that use of sodium metabisulfite increased the lightness of black fungus, significantly increased the contents of total polyphenols and reducing sugars in the fungus (p < 0.05), increased the content of soluble protein, and decreased the content of total flavonoids. In addition, sodium metabisulfite destroyed vitamin C and B1 in black fungus. When the concentration of sodium metabisulfite was 0.5% and the soaking time 20 or 30 min, the color of black fungus improved markedly, and nutrients were not negatively affected. Therefore, the use of sodium metabisulfite improved the quality of fungus to a certain extent.

Sulfur dioxide derivatives attenuates consolidation of contextual fear memory in mice.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by an enhancement of traumatic memory. Intervention strategies based on the different stages of memory have been shown to be effective in the prevention and control of PTSD. The endogenous gaseous molecule, sulfur dioxide (SO2), has been reported to significantly exert neuromodulatory effects; however, its regulation of learning and memory remains unestablished. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous SO2 derivatives administration on the formation, consolidation, reconsolidation, retention, and expression of contextual fear memory. Behavioral results showed that both intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg, ip) and hippocampal infusion (5 µg/side) of SO2 derivatives (a mixture of sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite, Na2SO3/NaHSO3, 3:1 M/M) significantly impaired consolidation but had no effect on reconsolidation and retention of contextual fear memory. These findings suggest that the attenuating effects of SO2 on the consolidation of fear memory involves, at least partially, the region of the hippocampus. The findings of this study provide direct evidence for the development of new strategies for PTSD prevention and treatment involving the use of gaseous SO2.

Retromer Complex and PI3K Complex II-Related Genes Mediate the Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Sodium Metabisulfite Resistance Response.

Sodium metabisulfite (Na2S2O5) is widely used as a preservative in the food and wine industry. However, it causes varying degrees of cellular damage to organisms. In order to improve our knowledge regarding its cyto-toxicity, a genome-wide screen using the yeast single deletion collection was performed. Additionally, a total of 162 Na2S2O5-sensitive strains and 16 Na2S2O5-tolerant strains were identified. Among the 162 Na2S2O5 tolerance-related genes, the retromer complex was the top enriched cellular component. Further analysis demonstrated that retromer complex deletion leads to increased sensitivity to Na2S2O5, and that Na2S2O5 can induce mislocalization of retromer complex proteins. Notably, phosphatidylinositol 3-monophosphate kinase (PI3K) complex II, which is important for retromer recruitment to the endosome, might be a potential regulator mediating retromer localization and the yeast Na2S2O5 tolerance response. Na2S2O5 can decrease the protein expressions of Vps34, which is the component of PI3K complex. Therefore, Na2S2O5-mediated retromer redistribution might be caused by the effects of decreased Vps34 expression levels. Moreover, both pharmaceutical inhibition of Vps34 functions and deletions of PI3K complex II-related genes affect cell tolerance to Na2S2O5. The results of our study provide a global picture of cellular components required for Na2S2O5 tolerance and advance our understanding concerning Na2S2O5-induced cytotoxicity effects.

Sodium houttuyfonate attenuates neurological defects after traumatic brain injury in mice via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasomes.

Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a chemical compound synthesized by houttuynin and sodium bisulfite. As it has antinflammatory effects, SH has been widely used to treat autoimmune diseases, including post events following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Meanwhile, NOD-like receptor with pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in microglia may play a central role in TBI. But to date, the intracellular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of SH in TBI remain unknown, especially whether regulating NLRP3. To gain an insight into this possibility, we conducted cell culture and biochemical studies on the effect of SH on NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia. The results showed that SH inhibited TLR4 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the microglia cell. In parallel, phosphorylation of ERK and NF-κB p65, which play a key role in NLRP3 inflammasome formation, was decreased. Intraperitoneal injection of SH into TBI mice significantly reduced the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), as well as the degree of microglia apoptosis post-controlled cortical impact (CCI). Immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that SH markedly reduced NLRP3 inflammasome activation, TLR4 activity, phosphorylation of ERK and NF-κB. Moreover, SH significantly inhibited microglia activation post-CCI, but effectively promoted the astrocyte activation and angiopoiesis. Taken together, our research provides evidence that SH attenuated neurological deficits post TBI through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation, via influencing the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings explain the intracellular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity caused by SH treatment following TBI.

Sodium Houttuyfonate Ameliorates ß-amyloid1-42-Induced Memory Impairment and Neuroinflammation through Inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Our research is designed to explore the function of sodium houttuyfonate (SH) on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS: In our study, the Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to assess the role of SH on spatial learning and memory deficiency in amyloid-ß peptide (Aß)1-42-induced AD mice. We explored the functions of SH on proinflammatory cytokines, neuron apoptosis, and damage in vivo and in vitro by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, western blot, and Nissl staining. Moreover, the effect of SH on oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro was also detected. To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of SH on AD, the expressions of proteins and mRNA involved in the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing-3/gasdermin D (NLRP3/GSDMD) pathway were determined using western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Our data demonstrated that SH ameliorated spatial learning and memory deficiency in Aß 1-42-induced AD mice. Moreover, SH significantly improved hippocampal neuron damage and inhibited oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuron apoptosis in Aß 1-42-induced AD mice and PC12 cells. The results also revealed that SH protected Aß 1-42-induced AD through inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD pathway. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that SH could ameliorate Aß 1-42-induced memory impairment neuroinflammation and pyroptosis through inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD pathway in AD, suggesting that SH may be a potential candidate for AD treatment.

Sodium houttuyfonate: A review of its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective effects.

There is an almost unlimited interest in searching and developing new drugs, especially when we are in an era that are witnessing more and more emerging pathogens. Natural products from traditional medicines represent a large library for searching lead compounds with novel bioactivities. Sodium houttuyfonate is such one bioactive compound derived from Houttuynia cordata Thunb which has been employed in traditional medicine for treating infectious and inflammatory diseases. Sodium houttuyfonate has demonstrated multiple kinds of pharmacological effects, including antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective activities, which are discussed here to provide insights into our understanding of the pharmacological effects of SH and the underlying mechanisms.

Extracellular sulfite is protective against reactive oxygen species and antibiotic stress in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

In this study, we investigated the extracellular reactive sulfur species produced by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 during growth. The results showed that sulfite is the major extracellular sulfur metabolite released to the growth medium under both aerobic and anaerobic growth conditions. Exogenous sulfite at physiological concentrations protected S. oneidensis MR-1 from hydrogen peroxide toxicity and enhanced tolerance to the beta-lactam antibiotics cefazolin, meropenem, doripenem and ertapenem. These findings suggest that the release of extracellular sulfite is a bacterial defence mechanism that plays a role in the mitigation of environmental stress.

Sodium houttuyfonate attenuates dextran sulfate sodium associated colitis precolonized with Candida albicans through inducing ß-glucan exposure.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is a chronic intestinal disease most likely associated with gut dysbiosis. Candida related mycobiota has been demonstrated to play a role in IBD progression. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) with antifungal activity have a potential in prevention and treatment of fungi-related IBD. Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a promising anti-Candida TCHMs. In this study, a dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis model with Candida albicans precolonization is established. SH gavage can significantly decrease the fungal burdens in feces and colon tissues, reduce disease activity index score, elongate colon length, and attenuate colonic damages. Moreover, SH markedly inhibits the levels of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies, ß-glucan, and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α), and increases anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 level in serum and colon tissue. Further experiments demonstrate that SH could induce ß-glucan exposure, priming intestinal macrophages to get rid of colonized C. albicans through the collaboration of Dectin-1 and TLR2/4. With the decreased fungal burden, the protein levels of Dectin-1, TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κBp65 are fallen back, indicating the primed macrophages calm down and the colitis is alleviated. Collectively, these results manifest that SH can attenuate C. albicans associated colitis via ß-glucan exposure, deepening our understanding of TCHMs in the prevention and treatment of fungi associated IBD.

Comprehensive benchmarking of software for mapping whole genome bisulfite data: from read alignment to DNA methylation analysis.

Whole genome bisulfite sequencing is currently at the forefront of epigenetic analysis, facilitating the nucleotide-level resolution of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) on a genome-wide scale. Specialized software have been developed to accommodate the unique difficulties in aligning such sequencing reads to a given reference, building on the knowledge acquired from model organisms such as human, or Arabidopsis thaliana. As the field of epigenetics expands its purview to non-model plant species, new challenges arise which bring into question the suitability of previously established tools. Herein, nine short-read aligners are evaluated: Bismark, BS-Seeker2, BSMAP, BWA-meth, ERNE-BS5, GEM3, GSNAP, Last and segemehl. Precision-recall of simulated alignments, in comparison to real sequencing data obtained from three natural accessions, reveals on-balance that BWA-meth and BSMAP are able to make the best use of the data during mapping. The influence of difficult-to-map regions, characterized by deviations in sequencing depth over repeat annotations, is evaluated in terms of the mean absolute deviation of the resulting methylation calls in comparison to a realistic methylome. Downstream methylation analysis is responsive to the handling of multi-mapping reads relative to mapping quality (MAPQ), and potentially susceptible to bias arising from the increased sequence complexity of densely methylated reads.

Exogenous SO2 donor treatment impairs reconsolidation of drug reward memory in mice.

Substance-related and addictive disorders (SRADs) are characterized by compulsive drug use and recurrent relapse. The persistence of pathological drug-related memories indisputably contributes to a high propensity to relapse. Hence, strategies to disrupt reconsolidation of drug reward memory are currently being pursued as potential anti-relapse interventions. Sulfur dioxide (SO2), acting as a potential gaseous molecule, endogenously derives from sulfur amino acid and can exert significant neural regulatory effects. However, the role of SO2 in reconsolidation of drug memory has not been determined. In the present study, we used morphine- or cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) mouse models with retrieval to investigate the effects of exogenous SO2 donor treatment on reconsolidation of drug reward memory. We found that administration of SO2 donor immediately after the retrieval impaired the expression of morphine or cocaine CPP. Furthermore, the exogenous SO2 donor treatment 6 h post-retrieval or in the absence of retrieval had no effect on drug reward memory and the expression of CPP. SO2 itself did not produce aversive effects nor did it acutely block morphine CPP. Our results indicate that exogenous SO2 impairs reconsolidation of drug reward memory rather than inhibits the expression of drug reward memory. As such, SO2 holds potential for the treatment and prevention of SRADs and should be studied further.

Detection of 5-formylcytosine in Mitochondrial Transcriptome.

Posttranscriptional RNA modifications have recently emerged as essential posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. Here we present two methods for single nucleotide resolution detection of 5-formylcytosine (f5C) in RNA. The first relies on chemical protection of f5C against bisulfite treatment, the second method is based on chemical reduction of f5C to hm5C. In combination with regular bisulfite treatment of RNA, the methods allow for precise mapping of f5C. The protocol is used for f5C detection in mtDNA-encoded RNA, however, it can be straightforwardly applied for transcriptome-wide analyses.

Cupriferous Silver Peroxysulfite Superpyramids as a Universal and Long-Lasting Agent to Eradicate Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Promote Wound Healing.

Because of the emergent evolution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, resistance to traditional antibiotics has been increasingly causing public health concerns that it can rapidly overcome the development of antibacterial agents. Here, we demonstrated a facile electrodeposition method to prepare silver peroxysulfite (Ag7O8HSO4, AOHS) superpyramids on band-aids with extraordinary antibacterial performance. The porous structure and the sharp apex of AOHS superpyramids could facilitate the release of high-valence silver ions, which possess highly efficient MDR bacteria-killing effect and keep long-term antibacterial activity (>99% killing efficiency, recycle at least 4 times) because of their superior destruction capability of the membrane of the bacteria. A layer of copper was further evaporated onto the AOHS pyramids decorated on a band-aid, which could promote wound tissue angiogenesis and prohibit bacterial infection simultaneously, and finally accelerate the healing process in MDR bacteria-infected wound in vivo. The simple and low-cost fabrication process, as well as the outstanding antibacterial performance, make AOHS pyramids have promising applications in bacterial infection and practical sterilization fields, especially toward multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Onion juice and extracts for the inhibition of enzymatic browning mechanisms in frozen Agaricus bisporus mushrooms.

BACKGROUND: The potential of onion juice, as well as extracts of waste (tunic) (5%) and fleshy scale leaves (25%), to inhibit enzymatic browning of frozen Agaricus bisporus was investigated. The onion materials were used for blanching and their effectiveness in conserving integrity and appearance of mushroom fruiting bodies was compared with the currently accepted method of blanching in a sodium metabisulfite (SM) solution. RESULTS: It was observed that l-phenylalanine content may be a useful indicator of the changes in enzymatic activity during frozen storage, and l-tyrosine may be an indicator of a loss of lightness in color (parameter L*). The enzymes responsible for color changes were mainly monophenolase (MON) and, to a lesser degree, diphenolase (DIP). After being stored frozen for 8 months, these enzymes were detected at a 29:1 (DIP:MON) ratio in untreated mushrooms and a 2:1 (DIP:MON) ratio in mushrooms treated with onion juice. CONCLUSION: Onion products may be a good alternative to an SM solution. The most effective method to conserve the light color of fruiting bodies was blanching in juice or in an extract of the fleshy scale leaves. The least effective inhibitor of MON was tunic extract, which did, however, cause a favourable increase in the reducing capacity (total polyphenols) and flavonoids. Although the onion waste (tunic) extract changed the color of mushrooms from white to creamy orange, the color of these products was attractive and positively evaluated by panellists. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Neuroprotective Effects of Early Brain Injury after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats by Calcium Channel Mediating Hydrogen Sulfide.

The present study explored the modulating apoptosis effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) rats and its exact mechanism. A rat SAH model established by intravascular puncturing was used for the present study. After giving NaHS (donor of H2S), an L-type calcium channel opener (Bay K8644), or a calcium channel agonist (nifedipine), the neurological function of the rats, associated pathological changes, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3) and microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2) were examined. The concentration of H2S and expression of cystathionine beta synthase in the hippocampus changed upon early brain injury (EBI) after SAH. Compared with the SAH group, the neurological function of the rats and microstructure observed by electron microscopy were better in the SAH + NaHS group and SAH + Bay K8644 group. It was observed that apoptosis was more obvious in the SAH group than in the control group and was alleviated in the SAH + NaHS group. Furthermore, the alleviating effect of NaHS was partially weakened by nifedipine, indicating that the effect of anti-apoptosis in H2S might be correlated with the calcium channel. The expression of Bax and caspase-3 was elevated, while the expression of Bcl-2 decreased in the SAH group but improved in the SAH + NaHS and SAH + Bay K8644 group. Compared with the SAH + NaHS group, the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins was higher in the SAH + NaHS + nifedipine group. Therefore, upon EBI following SAH, the H2S system plays an important neurological protective effect by modulating the function of the L-type calcium channel and inhibiting apoptosis.