title: Therapeutic applications of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules.
abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO), which is formed in mammalian cells through the oxidation of haem by the enzyme haem oxygenase, actively participates in the regulation of key intracellular functions. Emerging evidence reveals that an increased generation of haem oxygenase-derived CO plays a critical role in the resolution of inflammatory processes and alleviation of cardiovascular disorders. The authors have identified a novel class of substances, CO-releasing molecules (CO-RMs), which are capable of exerting a variety of pharmacological activities via the liberation of controlled amounts of CO in biological systems. A wide range of CO carriers containing manganese (CORM-1), ruthenium (CORM-2 and -3), boron (CORM-A1) and iron (CORM-F3) are currently being investigated to tailor therapeutic approaches for the prevention of vascular dysfunction, inflammation, tissue ischaemia and organ rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Research, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, Harrow, Middlesex, UK. r.motterlini@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Motterlini
authors.forename: Brian E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foresti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001880:Boranes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001880:Boranes; D002254:Carbonates; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C503854:sodium boranocarbonate; C476530:tricarbonylchloro(glycinato)ruthenium(II); C447082:tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1