[Protective effect of carbon monoxide for organ injury].
Heme oxygenase (HO) catabolizes heme into three products: carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin and free iron. HO-1, inducible form of HO, has been shown to be protective against various stress. CO at a low concentration has been shown to be protective in several disease models mimicking the action of HO-1. We suggest that CO, the byproduct of heme degradation, could be valuable therapeutic agents. We review the functional role of HO-1 and CO and its potential application to clinical settings.
Nakao
Atsunori
A
Thomas E Starzl Tranzplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
Kobayashi
Eiji
E
Tanaka
Noriaki
N
Murase
Noriko
N
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000502:physiology; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000517:prevention & control
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; C496541:HMOX1 protein, human; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1