Researchers have recently found that hydrogen sulfide may help in hypertension cases, as the gas proved efficient in relaxing the blood pressure in rats. Hydrogen sulfide, H2S, is a colorless, flammable gas that is responsible for the foul smell found in flatulence and rotten eggs.

The gas is the result of bacterial break down and is most commonly found in swamps, volcanoes or sewers. The gas is often used in the production of methanethiol, ethanethiol, and thioglycolic acid and in the separation of deuterium oxide. It is well know that hydrogen sulfide has some attributions in our bodies, being produced in small amounts by some particular cells.

The latest finds related to the gas showed that it prevents hypertension in rats and may relax blood pressure. Scientists believe that this foul smelling gas might have the same results in people, as high blood pressure or hypertension is a condition from which many suffer.

Scientists believe that with some further experimenting on this issue some new medication can be created for the use in hypertension patients. The experiment was conducted on rats missing an enzyme that produces hydrogen sulfide. Scientists raised the blood pressure of the lab rats using cuffs and they noticed that because of the missing hydrogen sulfide in their bodies, blood pressure increased with 20%.

The conclusion of the experiment is that hydrogen sulfide is as important as nitric oxide in relaxing blood vessels and maintaining a stale pressure. Nitric oxide is the first gasotransmitter ever used in regulated blood pressure, being discovered approximately 20 years ago.