Biological and Pharmacological Properties of Carbon Monoxide: A General Overview

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most common causes inhalation poisoning worldwide. However, it also well known that CO produced endogenously in heme degradation reaction catalyzed by oxygenase (HO) enzymes. HO catalyzes to equimolar quantities CO, iron ions (Fe2+), and biliverdin. Three oxygen molecules (O2) electrons provided NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase are used reaction. enzymes comprise three distinct isozymes: inducible form, oxygenase-1 (HO-1); constitutively expressed isozyme, oxygenase-2 (HO-2); oxygenase-3 (HO-3), which ubiquitously but possesses low catalytic activity. According some authors, HO-3 rather a pseudogene originating from HO-2 transcript, has only been identified rats. Therefore, cellular activity two major isoforms—the HO-1 HO-2. For many years, generated was treated as by-product metabolism without any serious physiological or biochemical significance, while exogenous considered an extremely toxic gas with lethal effects. Research recent years proven endogenous (which may be surprising, given public perceptions) acts not agent affects intracellular pathways, therapeutic molecule. Hence, modulation HO/CO system option for potential strategy. Another administration inhalation. As alternatives administration, compounds CO-releasing (CORMs) can administered, since they safely release body. The aim this article provide brief overview properties its potential.