Heme Oxygenase-1 against Vascular Insufficiency: Roles of Atherosclerotic Disorders

Title: Heme Oxygenase-1 against Vascular Insufficiency: Roles of Atherosclerotic Disorders

Volume: 9 Issue: 30

Author(s): Kazunobu Ishikawa

Affiliation:

Keywords: heme oxygenase, carbon monoxide, bilirubin, ferritin, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, restenosis

Abstract: Heme oxygenase (HO), an enzyme essential for heme degradation, shows anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties via the production of bile pigments, carbon monoxide (CO) and ferritin induction under various pathophysiological conditions. A number of recent studies have shown biological effects of HO reaction in cardiovascular disorders. An inducible form of HO, HO-1, is induced by a variety of stresses such as oxidized lipoproteins, cytokines, hemodynamic changes, angiotensin II and nitric oxide (NO) in vascular wall. HO-1 induction seems to function as an adaptive response against these injurious stimuli. HO-1 induction in artery wall scavenges reactive oxygen species, which leads to the attenuation of monocyte adhesion and chemotaxis. HO-1 induction also reduces lipid peroxidation in plasma and artery wall. These properties of HO-1 suggest anti-atherogenic roles of this enzyme. In this review, roles of endothelial HO-1 expression and bilirubin in atherogenesis are also discussed. HO-1 also seems to play a significant role in restenosis after angioplasty, which is a major clinical problem associated with atherosclerosis. Recent progress in human HO-1 genetics supports these experimental results. This review aims to reaffirm current problems in the biological aspects of HO and suggest future research direction and clinical application.

Cite this article as:

Ishikawa Kazunobu, Heme Oxygenase-1 against Vascular Insufficiency: Roles of Atherosclerotic Disorders, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2003; 9 (30) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612033453767