ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Molecular modeling and experimental confirmation of the search for agents mitigating toxic action of hydrogen sulfide

Golovatskaya LI1, Trizno EV2, Smirnova YuA3, Trizno MN2
About authors

1 Apraksin Caspian Institute of Sea and River Transport — branch of the Volga State University of Water Transport of the Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport, Astrakhan, Russia

2 Astrakhan State Medical University, Astrakhan, Russia

3 Tatishchev Astrakhan State University, Astrakhan, Russia

Correspondence should be addressed: Ekaterina V. Trizno
Bakinskaya, 121, Astrakhan, 414000, Russia; ur.liam@0102-norien

About paper

Acknowledgments: the authors express their deepest gratitude to the departed Doctor of Chemistry, Professor N. M. Alykov and Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor N. N. Trizno for their invaluable contribution to the development of scientific ideas and areas investigated by the authors of the article.

Author contribution: Golovatskaya LI — idea and design of the mathematical part of the study, analysis, study planning, data interpretation; Trizno EV — idea and design of the experimental part, coordination of the study, participation in the practical part of the experiment, manuscript authoring; Smirnova YuA — participation in the development of mathematical program, literature selection and analysis, discussion of the results; Trizno MN — practical arrangement of the experiment, data visualization, statistical analysis.

Received: 2022-12-23 Accepted: 2023-01-27 Published online: 2023-03-10
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Mathematical modeling is a promising method enabling in silico calculations with subsequent suggestion of cell membrane protective agents used to reduce the consequences of exposure to hydrogen sulfide-containing gas in emergency situations. This study aimed to investigate the nature of interaction of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and N-Acetyl-L-Cycteine (NAC) with the components of cell membranes. We built a mathematical model of interatomic interactions of cell membrane components with H2S and NAC (two separate models), then made the quantum-chemical calculations using our proprietary technique and set up GAMESS Z-matrices reflecting type and position of atoms in the molecules. The structure of the molecules was optimized with the help of MOPAC package built into ChemOffice. Lecithin-based liposomes in a sulfide solution (with Na2S being the donor of H and HS ions) were used as an experimental model of the biological membrane. Redox potential in mV was the comparison parameter in assessment of interaction of the H2S system components and NAC with phospholipid. The results include patterns showing the phospholipid reactive centers blocked by NAC under toxic exposure to H2S. Liposomal models of cell membranes were formed and redox parameters measured. Biological experiment confirmed the acceptable accuracy of the designed method of calculation of intermolecular interactions when used as a basis for further selection of agents capable of adjusting toxic doses of hydrogen sulfide. Membrane models of H2S interaction with protein and lecithin were visualized in silico and in vitro. The possibility of using NAC as an H2S inhibitor has been confirmed.

Keywords: mathematical modeling, liposomes, hydrogen sulfide, phospholipid, lecithin, redox potential

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