Research progress of carbon monoxide protection mechanism / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

Carbon monoxide(CO) has been considered as a fatal gas.Recent researches show that tissues generate carbon monoxide,and carbon monoxide plays a key role in the tissue physiological and pathological processes.The endogenous CO is generated from the decomposition of heme which is catalyzed by heme oxygenase enzyme(HO).Studies show that CO involves in the process of anti-inflammation,anti-apoptosis,regulation of vascular tone,modulation of leukocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation.CO also functions as neurotransmitters.