Hydrogen sulphide, the gas famed for generating the stench in stink bombs, flatulence and bad breath, has been harnessed by stem cell researchers in Japan.
Their study, in the Journal of Breath Research, investigated using it to help convert stem cells from human teeth into liver cells. The scientists claimed the gas increased the purity of the stem cells.
Small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are made by the body.It is also produced by bacteria and is toxic in large quantities.A group in China has already reported using the gas to enhance the survival of mesenchymal stem cells taken from the bone marrow of rats.
Researchers at the Nippon Dental University were investigating stem cells from dental pulp – the bit in the middle of the tooth.They said using the gas increased the proportion of stem cells which were converted to liver cells when used alongside other chemicals. The idea is that liver cells produced from stem cells could be used to repair the organ if it was damaged.