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Use of a Hanging-weight System for Liver Ischemia in Mice
Published on: August 7, 2012
Heme oxygenase system in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury
James A Richards1, Stephen J Wigmore, Luke R Devey
1Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom. jamesrichards@doctors.net.uk
Abstract:
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) limits access to transplantation. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a powerful antioxidant enzyme which degrades free heme into biliverdin, free iron and carbon monoxide. HO-1 and its metabolites have the ability to modulate a wide variety of inflammatory disorders including hepatic IRI. Mechanisms of this protective effect include reduction of oxygen free radicals, alteration of macrophage and T cell phenotype. Further work is required to understand the physiological importance of the many actions of HO-1 identified experimentally, and to harness the protective effect of HO-1 for therapeutic potential.
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