Abstract
Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes the degradation of heme to generate carbon monoxide, biliverdin and free iron. Increased HO-1 levels constitute an anatomopathological feature of many neurological diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and brain infections, which correlate with exacerbated oxidative stress and inflammation. It is generally accepted that the elevated HO-1 levels represent an attempt to restore redox homeostasis and to down-modulate inflammation. However, experimental observations indicate that the extent of HO-1 induction may be critical because excessive heme degradation may result in toxic levels of CO, bilirubin and, more importantly, iron. Pharmacological modulation of HO-1 levels in the brain, within therapeutic limits, shows promising results in models of Alzheimers (AD), Parkinsons (PD) and of infectious diseases, such as malaria. A more complete understanding on how HO-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases will be essential to develop therapeutic approaches. In the next coming years we will witness the description of chemicals, drugs or dietary products that cross the blood brain barrier efficiently, activate HO-1 expression, and achieve neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.
Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1, oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, microglia
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Heme Oxygenase-1 as a Therapeutic Target in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Infections
Volume: 14 Issue: 5
Author(s): Antonio Cuadrado and Ana I. Rojo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1, oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, microglia
Abstract: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes the degradation of heme to generate carbon monoxide, biliverdin and free iron. Increased HO-1 levels constitute an anatomopathological feature of many neurological diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders and brain infections, which correlate with exacerbated oxidative stress and inflammation. It is generally accepted that the elevated HO-1 levels represent an attempt to restore redox homeostasis and to down-modulate inflammation. However, experimental observations indicate that the extent of HO-1 induction may be critical because excessive heme degradation may result in toxic levels of CO, bilirubin and, more importantly, iron. Pharmacological modulation of HO-1 levels in the brain, within therapeutic limits, shows promising results in models of Alzheimers (AD), Parkinsons (PD) and of infectious diseases, such as malaria. A more complete understanding on how HO-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of neurological diseases will be essential to develop therapeutic approaches. In the next coming years we will witness the description of chemicals, drugs or dietary products that cross the blood brain barrier efficiently, activate HO-1 expression, and achieve neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Cuadrado Antonio and Rojo I. Ana, Heme Oxygenase-1 as a Therapeutic Target in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Infections, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2008; 14 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208783597407
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161208783597407 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Alzheimers Disease - An Interactive Perspective
Current Alzheimer Research Editorial [Hot Topic: The Pineal Hormone Melatonin in Health and Disease (Guest Editors: Charanjit Kaur)]
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Mitochondrially-Targeted Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Araucaria Angustifolia: A Potential Nutraceutical with Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Activities
Current Nutrition & Food Science Emerging RNA-based Drugs: siRNAs, microRNAs and Derivates
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Insulin and the Brain
Current Diabetes Reviews Oxidative RNA Damage and Neurodegeneration
Current Medicinal Chemistry Multi-Target Directed Drugs: A Modern Approach for Design of New Drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Neuropharmacology Assembly In Vitro of Tau Protein and its Implications in Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Current Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Plants Derived Neuroprotective Phytoconstituents: A Comprehensive Review
Current Psychopharmacology A synopsis on the linkage between age-related dementias and vascular disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Gene-Gene and Gene-Environment Interaction on the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease
Current Aging Science Gene Therapy in the Management of Parkinson’s Disease: Potential of GDNF as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy
Current Gene Therapy Exploration of Different Methodologies for Synthesizing Biologically Important Benzothiazoles: An Overview
Current Organic Synthesis Wnt1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein 1 (WISP1) Blocks Neurodegeneration through Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase/Akt1 and Apoptotic Mitochondrial Signaling Involving Bad, Bax, Bim, and Bcl-xL
Current Neurovascular Research Studying the Effects of Classic Hallucinogens in the Treatment of Alcoholism: Rationale, Methodology, and Current Research with Psilocybin
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Antioxidants in Health, Disease and Aging
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Alzheimers Disease: From Pathogenesis to Disease-Modifying Approaches
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Transgenic Mouse Models of Tauopathy in Drug Discovery
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets New Prospectives in the Delivery of Galantamine for Elderly Patients Using the IntelliDrug Intraoral Device: In Vivo Animal Studies
Current Pharmaceutical Design