Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2011; 17(38): 4283-4288
Published online Oct 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i38.4283
Heme oxygenase-1 system and gastrointestinal inflammation: A short review
Xiao Zhu, Wen-Guo Fan, Dong-Pei Li, Hsiangfu Kung, Marie CM Lin
Xiao Zhu, Cancer Institute, Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong Province, China
Xiao Zhu, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical College, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong Province, China
Wen-Guo Fan, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Dong-Pei Li, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong Province, China
Hsiangfu Kung, Li Ka Shing Institute of Medical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
Marie CM Lin, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: Zhu X and Fan WG contributed equally to this work; Zhu X, Fan WG and Li DP reviewed the literature and prepared the manuscript; Fan WG drafted the figure; Lin MCM and Kung H reviewed the final version of the paper.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81071697; Research Project of Health Bureau of Guangzhou City, No. 201102A213005 and 2010A30; Research Project of Education Bureau of Guangzhou City, No. 10A192
Correspondence to: Xiao Zhu, PhD, Cancer Institute, Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510095, Guangdong Province, China. bioxzhu@yahoo.com
Telephone: +86-20-83595032 Fax: +86-20-83591360
Received: February 9, 2011
Revised: March 21, 2011
Accepted: March 28, 2011
Published online: October 14, 2011
Abstract

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) system catalyzes heme to biologically active products: carbon monoxide, biliverdin/bilirubin and free iron. It is involved in maintaining cellular homeostasis and many physiological and pathophysiological processes. A growing body of evidence indicates that HO-1 activation may play an important protective role in acute and chronic inflammation of gastrointestinal tract. This review focuses on the current understanding of the physiological significance of HO-1 induction and its possible roles in the gastrointestinal inflammation studied to date. The ability to upregulate HO-1 by pharmacological means or using gene therapy may offer therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal inflammation in the future.

Keywords: Heme oxygenase-1; Gastrointestinal inflammation