Therapeutic applications of the gaseous mediators carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.
BACKGROUND
Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and carbon monoxide (CO) are endogenously produced gaseous autacoids that regulate a number of physiological processes, including the inflammatory response, cell death and proliferation, neural transmission and smooth muscle tone.


OBJECTIVE
The current review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all recent patent applications that address the potential therapeutic applications of CO and H(2)S.


CONCLUSIONS
Beyond the direct administration of CO and H(2)S, this review highlights the therapeutic applications of a variety of gas-releasing molecules that are being developed to deliver CO and H(2)S to diseased tissues at therapeutic doses. The term autacoid, which, in addition to its pharmacological use to describe a locally-acting hormone, literally translates from Greek as 'self-drug', seems to particularly well describe the current approach to capture the potential therapeutic use of these two gasotransmitters. In summary, we can conclude that there is a markedly growing interest in harnessing the tissue-protective actions of CO and H(2)S.
Campus de la Universidad Autónoma, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología / CSIC, Department of Plant Molecular Genetics, Madrid, Spain. gbannenberg@cnb.csic.es
Gerard L
GL
Bannenberg
Helena L A
HL
Vieira
D000818:Animals; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005740:Gases / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010330:Patents as Topic
D005740:Gases; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide