Hydrogen sulphide reduces joint swelling

 A gas identified with the smell of rotten eggs has been shown to reduce joint swelling by a team from the University of Exeter Medical School. A drug molecule that generates hydrogen sulphide reduces swelling and inflammation in arthritic joints and could pave the way for more effective treatments.

“Having a class of compounds which reduce inflammation and swelling when arthritis is already active is extremely exciting,” Prof Matt Whiteman says. “These molecules may also be useful in other inflammatory conditions, and even in the inflammatory aspects of diabetes and obesity.”

Many people with arthritis do not respond effectively to current treatments or experience negative side effects from medication. The research team hopes that future drugs based on hydrogen sulphide could be effective in treating arthritis without uncomfortable side effects.