Simultaneous Measurements of Tension and Free H2S in Mesenteric Arteries.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in addition to nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, is the third gasotransmitter and known to cause relaxation in peripheral arteries. Here we describe a method that allows simultaneous measurement of contractility in arteries mounted in an isometric wire myograph and the concentration of free H2S in the lumen of the artery as well as in the organ bath. This method can be used to directly correlate how much free H2S is needed to cause relaxation, which previously has been difficult to answer as H2S can be found in many different forms.