Targeting heme oxygenase: therapeutic implications for diseases of the cardiovascular system
SJ Peterson, WH Frishman - Cardiology in review, 2009 - journals.lww.com
Heme oxygenase (HO) is important in attenuating the overall production of reactive oxygen
species through its ability to degrade heme and to produce carbon monoxide,
biliverdin/bilirubin, and release of free iron. Excess free heme catalyzes the formation of
reactive oxygen species, which leads to endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction as seen in
numerous pathologic vascular conditions including systemic hypertension and diabetes, as
well as in ischemia/reperfusion injury.
species through its ability to degrade heme and to produce carbon monoxide,
biliverdin/bilirubin, and release of free iron. Excess free heme catalyzes the formation of
reactive oxygen species, which leads to endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction as seen in
numerous pathologic vascular conditions including systemic hypertension and diabetes, as
well as in ischemia/reperfusion injury.