The well-known adverse effects of CO (carbon monoxide) intoxication are counterbalanced by its positive actions when small amounts are produced intracellularly by the cytoprotective enzyme HO-1 (haem oxygenase-1). As compelling scientific evidence accumulated to sustain that HO-1 plays a fundamental role in counteracting vascular and inflammatory disorders, we began to appreciate that a controlled delivery of CO to mammals may provide therapeutic benefits in a number of pathological states. This is the rationale for the recent development of CO-RMs (CO-releasing molecules), a group of compounds capable of carrying and liberating controlled quantities of CO in cellular systems, which offer a plausible tool for studying the pharmacological effects of this gas and identifying its mechanism(s) of action. The present review will highlight the encouraging results obtained so far on the vasodilatory, anti-ischaemic and anti-inflammatory effects elicited by CO-RMs in in vitro and in vivo models with an emphasis on the prospect of converting chemical CO carriers into CO-based pharmaceuticals.
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November 2007
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Conference Article|
October 25 2007
Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs): vasodilatory, anti-ischaemic and anti-inflammatory activities
R. Motterlini
R. Motterlini
1
1Vascular Biology Unit, Department of Surgical Research, Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ, U.K.
1email r.motterlini@imperial.ac.uk
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
June 21 2007
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Biochemical Society
2007
Biochem Soc Trans (2007) 35 (5): 1142–1146.
Article history
Received:
June 21 2007
Citation
R. Motterlini; Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs): vasodilatory, anti-ischaemic and anti-inflammatory activities. Biochem Soc Trans 1 November 2007; 35 (5): 1142–1146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0351142
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