Effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide and honokiol intervention on the proliferation, apoptosis, and calcium signaling pathway of rat enteric glial cells

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gaseous signaling molecule that influences digestive and nervous system functions. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are integral to the enteric nervous system and play a role in regulating gastrointestinal motility. This study explored the dual effects of exogenous H₂S on EGCs and the influence of apoptosis-related pathways and ion channels in EGCs. We also administered honokiol for further interventional studies. The results revealed that low-concentration H₂S increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of EGCs, decreased the whole-cell membrane potential, downregulated BAX and caspase-3, upregulated Bcl2 expression, reduced apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation. The Ca²⁺ concentration, Cx43 mRNA, and protein expression were also increased. A high concentration of H₂S had the opposite effect. In addition, GFAP mRNA expression was upregulated in the test-low group, downregulated in the test-high group, and upregulated in the test-high + Hon group. Honokiol treatment increased MMP, reduced whole-cell membrane potential, inhibited BAX and caspase-3 expression, increased Bcl2 expression, decreased cell apoptosis, and increased cell proliferation. The Ca²⁺ concentration, Cx43 mRNA, and protein expression were also upregulated. In conclusion, our study showed that exogenous H₂S can bidirectionally regulate EGC proliferation and apoptosis by affecting MMP and cell membrane potential via the Bcl2/BAX/caspase-3 pathway and modulate Cx43-mediated Ca²⁺ responses in EGCs to regulate colonic motility bidirectionally. Honokiol can ameliorate the damage to EGCs induced by high H₂S concentrations through the Bcl2/BAX/caspase-3 pathway and improve colon motility by increasing Cx43 expression and Ca²⁺ concentration.