Submitted on August 1, 2008
Revised on June 9, 2009
Accepted on June 9, 2009
Heme Oxygenase: The Key to Renal Function Regulation
Nader G. Abraham1*, Jian Cao2, David Sacerdoti3, Xiaoying Li2, and George S. Drummond1
1 New York Medical College
2 Chinese PLA General Hospital
3 University Hospital of Padova, Italy
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nader_abraham{at}nymc.edu.
Heme oxygenase (HO) plays a critical role in attenuating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its ability to degrade heme in an enzymatic process that leads to the production of equimolar amounts of carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin/bilirubin and the release of free iron. The present review examines the beneficial role of HO-1 (inducible form of HO) that is achieved by increased expression of this enzyme in renal tissue. The influence of the HO system on renal physiology, obesity, vascular dysfunction and blood pressure regulation is reviewed and the clinical potential of increased levels of HO-1 protein, HO activity and HO derived end products of heme degradation discussed relative to renal disease. The use of pharmacological and genetic approaches to investigate the role of the HO system in kidney is key to the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent the adverse effects that accrue due to an impairment in renal function.
