In lung epithelial cells, hypoxia decreases the expression and activity of sodium transporting molecules, thereby reducing the rate of transepithelial sodium absorption. The mechanisms underlying the sensing of hypoxia and subsequent coupling to sodium transporting molecules remain unclear. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has recently been recognized as a cellular signaling molecule whose intracellular concentrations critically depend on oxygen levels. Therefore it was questioned whether endogenously produced H₂S contributes to hypoxic inhibition of sodium transport. In electrophysiological Ussing chamber experiments, hypoxia was established by decreasing oxygen concentrations in the chambers. Hypoxia concentration-dependently and reversibly decreased amiloride-sensitive sodium absorption by cultured H441 monolayers and freshly dissected porcine tracheal epithelia due to inhibition of basolateral Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Exogenous application of H₂S by the sulfur salt Na₂S mimicked the effect of hypoxia and inhibited amiloride-sensitive sodium absorption by both tissues in an oxygen-dependent manner. Hypoxia increased intracellular concentrations of H₂S and decreased the concentration of polysulfides. Pre-treatment with the cystathionine--lyase inhibitor D/L-propargylglycine (PAG) decreased hypoxic inhibition of sodium transport by H441 monolayers, whereas inhibition of cystathionine-β-synthase (with aminooxy-acetic acid; AOAA) or 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (with aspartate) had no effect. Inhibition of all of these H₂S-generating enzymes with a combination of AOAA, PAG and aspartate decreased the hypoxic inhibition of sodium transport by H441 cells and pig tracheae and decreased H₂S production by tracheae. These data suggest that airway epithelial cells endogenously produce H₂S during hypoxia and this contributes to hypoxic inhibition of transepithelial sodium absorption.