Abstract
Carbon monoxide (CO) has long been known for its toxicity. However, in recent decades, new applications for CO as a therapeutic compound have been proposed, and multiple forms of CO therapy have since been developed and studied. Previous research has found that CO has a role as a gasotransmitter and promotes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, making it an avenue of interest for medicine. Such effects are possible because of the Nrf2/HO1 pathway, which has become a target for therapy development because its activation also leads to CO release. Currently, different forms of treatment involving CO include inhaled CO (iCO), carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs), and hybrid carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (HYCOs). In this article, we review the progression of CO studies to develop possible therapies, the possible mechanisms involved in the effects of CO, and the current forms of therapy using CO.
Highlights
The unique properties of carbon monoxide (CO), such as its lack of odor, taste, and color, coupled with its toxicity to humans, have long been used to identify CO as a “silent killer.” exogenous CO in sustained exposure and high concentrations is dangerous to the human body because of its high binding affinity to hemoglobin (Hb), some CO is naturally produced in the body by heme degradation [1]
The authors of this study reported that carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs)-2 induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus in the WT mice macrophages and did not have any protective effect in the Nrf2−/− mice macrophages
It was reported that 90% of mice in the CORM-2 treatment group survived, compared to only 40% in the control group
Summary
The unique properties of carbon monoxide (CO), such as its lack of odor, taste, and color, coupled with its toxicity to humans, have long been used to identify CO as a “silent killer.” exogenous CO in sustained exposure and high concentrations is dangerous to the human body because of its high binding affinity to hemoglobin (Hb), some CO is naturally produced in the body by heme degradation [1]. Exogenous CO in sustained exposure and high concentrations is dangerous to the human body because of its high binding affinity to hemoglobin (Hb), some CO is naturally produced in the body by heme degradation [1]. In its endogenous form, CO is tightly regulated by heme oxygenase (HO) isoforms that maintain it as an important regulator of cellular functions in various areas of the body. CO is known as a gasotransmitter, which is any endogenously produced gaseous molecule involved in signaling processes in the body. It can be rapidly synthesized when needed. Gasotransmitters can efficiently enter and exit cells without the need for receptors, endocytosis, or exocytosis to mediate cellular functions [2].
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