Discovery that Mammals Produce Cyclo-octasulfur (S8) in their Bodies Results of Joint Research with Tohoku University and Others Published in the Scientific Journal Science

In collaboration with the Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University; the Graduate School of Medicine, Akita University; the Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Integrated Research, Institute of Science Tokyo; the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in Germany; and other institutions, the Shimadzu research group demonstrated the presence of cyclo-octasulfur (S 8 ) *1 in mammalian cells and tissues using a molecular-capsule-based mass spectrometry and Raman microscopy. In addition, S 8 levels were significantly higher in breast cancer tissue than in normal tissue, and an increase in supersulfide molecules was also confirmed in the exhaled breath of patients. By regulating supersulfide metabolism, centered on S 8 , which serves as an endogenous reservoir for reactive hydropolysulfides, this discovery is expected to contribute to the development of preventive and therapeutic approaches for cancers involving lipid peroxidation or ferroptosis *2 , osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases, and age-related diseases. The corresponding research results were published on September 24, 2026, in the scientific journal Science. A Nexera series high-performance liquid chromatograph system and LCMS-8060 and LCMS-8060NX high-performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer systems from Shimadzu were used for the research. Publication Information Title ： Mammals produce cyclo-octasulfur to suppress lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis Authors ： U. Barayeu, S. Ogata, T. Takata, M. Jung, T. Matsunaga, M. Morita, T. Ida, M. Lange, Y. Unno, S. Boushehri, P. Greicius, A. Nishimura, L. Catti, Y. Pan, T. Zhang, T. Shimizu, R. Ushioda, T. Nakabayashi, S. Asamitsu, K. Fusegawa, T. Suzuki, T. Ishida, N. Tanda, Y. Watanabe, Y. Tsuchiya, R. Yamaguchi, S. Noguchi, E. Mishima, F. Yano, M. Arisawa, D. J. Stuehr, N. Xia, H. Li, B. Moosmann, F. Gräter, C. Aponte-Santamaría, J. A. Olzmann, M. Conrad, A. van der Vliet, T. P. Dick, H. Motohashi, M. Yoshizawa & T. Akaike Journal ： Science (2026) DOI ： 10.1126/science.aec5473 URL ： https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aec5473 LCMS-8060 High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer LCMS-8060NX High-Performance Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer *1: Substance formed from 8 sulfur atoms connected in a ring shape. As a stable, naturally occurring form of elemental sulfur, S 8 has mainly been studied in research related to sulfur cycles in microorganisms or the environment. This research demonstrated that S 8 is also present in mammals and may play a role in protecting cells and tissues. *2: One type of cell death that occurs due to excessive oxidation of lipids. It is characterized by the involvement of iron and occurs through a mechanism different from those of previously known forms of cell death. Its association with many diseases has attracted attention, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, tissue damage caused by interrupted blood flow, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory diseases. Related Links Tohoku University Press Release April 18, 2025 | News New Laboratory Established at the Shimadzu × Tohoku University Supersulfides Life Science Co-Creation Research Center Contributing to Early Diagnosis Technology, Prediction of Therapeutic Effects, and Development of Drugs and Functionally-Enhanced Foods