Carbon monoxide and human disease.
Carbon monoxide is produced endogenously in humans through the breakdown of hemoglobin by heme oxygenase. Although originally thought to be a superfluous by-product of heme catabolism, carbon monoxide is now known to play a central role in many aspects of human health and disease. The functions of carbon monoxide that have been described to date are myriad, including blood pressure regulation, maintenance of organ-specific vascular tone, neurotransmission, stress response, platelet activation, and smooth muscle relaxation. This review outlines what is known to date about carbon monoxide as it relates to human disease.
Morse
Danielle
D
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, MUH 628NW, 3459 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Sethi
Jigme
J
D000818:Animals; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000502:physiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D005260:Female; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000378:metabolism; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; C496541:HMOX1 protein, human; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1