[Carbon monoxide--poison or potential therapeutic?].
Carbon monoxide (CO) is much more than just a toxic gas. Carbon monoxide is produced endogenously by the enzyme heme oxygenase and has important functions under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Recent studies suggested antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-apoptotic, and vasodilating characteristics. Regarding clinically-relevant diseases in anesthesiology and critical care medicine, such as adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, or during organ transplantation, cytoprotective properties have been demonstrated by low-dose CO in experimental models. In view of a potential CO application in future human studies, this review discusses what is known to date about CO as it relates to functional, protective and toxic aspects.
Hoetzel
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Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, W640 Montefiore University Hospital, 3459 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. alexander.hoetzel@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Schmidt
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R
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006157:Guanosine Monophosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000503:physiopathology
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006157:Guanosine Monophosphate; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing); D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases