Defying Conventional Wisdom: Developing Carbon Monoxide as a Therapeutic Agent

Nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide are all toxic molecules, and yet they belong to the gasotransmitter family of signaling molecules with importance on par with that of neurotransmitters and hormone molecules. Studies have shown that these endogenously produced molecules have a wide range of physiologic roles and therapeutic potentials. Specific functions of these molecules are of course unique for each of them. While the use of NO-producing molecules as therapeutics has long been established, the exploration of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide as therapeutics is still at its infancy at best. This presentation will discuss issues related to developing carbon monoxide-based therapeutics as well as CO prodrugs developed in our lab.