Biochemical Changes and Molecular Mechanisms Mediated by Sulfur Dioxide in Healthy Skin and Dermatological Disorders

The skin serves as the body’s first line of defense against environmental threats, acting as a barrier between external aggressors and internal systems. Current evidence regarding the roles of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in biology and medicine is limited. Environmental pollutants, including SO2, can increase the production of reactive oxygen species in the skin, leading to oxidative damage that may worsen various dermatological conditions. Endogenous SO2, proposed as the fourth member of the gasotransmitter family, functions as a biological signaling molecule. It is generated in various human skin cells, including vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, mast cells, keratinocytes, macrophages, adipocytes, fibroblasts, dermal immune cell population, etc, where it performs multiple functions at physiologically relevant concentrations. Endogenous SO2 plays a crucial role in regulating cell signaling and maintaining skin homeostasis through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects. Abnormal generation and metabolism of SO2 are linked to several critical processes in the skin, including vascular biology, immune response, cell proliferation, pigmentation, malignancy, protective barriers, senescence, and resistance to stress. This paper provides a narrative review of the significant roles of SO2 in skin health and disease. A comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular effects and mechanisms mediated by SO2 in human skin, along with the development of gas therapy, will be essential for translating fundamental research into clinical applications.