Heme Oxygenase, a Novel Target for the Treatment of Hypertension and Obesity?
Document Type
Review Article
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Journal / Book Title
American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
Abstract
Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the metabolism of heme-releasing bioactive molecules carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin, and iron, each with beneficial cardiovascular actions. Biliverdin is rapidly reduced to bilirubin, a potent antioxidant, by the enzyme biliverdin reductase, and iron is rapidly sequestered by ferritin in the cell. Several studies have demonstrated that HO-1 induction can attenuate the development of hypertension as well as lower blood pressure in established hypertension in both genetic and experimental models. HO-1 induction can also reduce target organ injury and can be beneficial in cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. Recent studies have also identified a beneficial role for HO-1 in the regulation of body weight and metabolism in diabetes and obesity. Chronic HO-1 induction lowers body weight and corrects hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Chronic HO-1 induction also modifies the phenotype of adipocytes in obesity from one of large, cytokine producing to smaller, adiponectin producing. Finally, chronic induction of HO-1 increases oxygen consumption, CO 2 , and heat production and activity in obese mice. This review will discuss the current understanding of the actions of the HO system to lower blood pressure and body weight and how HO or its metabolites may be ideal candidates for the development of drugs that can both reduce blood pressure and lower body weight.
DOI
10.1152/ajpregu.00517.2011
Journal ISSN / Book ISBN
1522-1490
Montclair State University Digital Commons Citation
Hosick, Peter and Stec, David E., "Heme Oxygenase, a Novel Target for the Treatment of Hypertension and Obesity?" (2012). Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education Scholarship and Creative Works. 37.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/exersci-physed-facpubs/37
Published Citation
Hosick, P. A., & Stec, D. E. (2012). Heme oxygenase, a novel target for the treatment of hypertension and obesity?. American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, 302(2), R207–R214. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00517.2011