CO is a colorless, odorless gas released from incomplete combustion of fuel. It is considered as one of the most deadly gases. This is because inhalation of high concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause toxic syndrome in the body by binding to hemoglobin instead of allowing oxygen to bind to it leading to death. Research has shown, around 400 deaths are caused every year in America due to exposure of carbon monoxide for prolonged time. In addition, 5000 Americans are sent to hospitals due to burning of their furnaces in poorly ventilated spaces. Despite its toxic effects, new research has shown that exposure to carbon monoxide at low concentrations in controlled hospitalized settings can act as a mediator to many conditions. These include sepsis, sickle cell, inflammation due to organ transplantation of kidney, heart, and lungs , cystic fibrosis and heart diseases. On average, around 10ml of CO is produced daily in the human body during metabolization of heme by heme oxygenase enzyme, which is an iron containing molecule.This heme molecule serves mostly as cellular sensor and transducer. Although inhalation of carbon monoxide has shown many positive effects in the treatment of many diseases , scientists are providing new ways to deliver carbon monoxide inside the body. This is because inhalation can be a potential remedy for organ transplant but not for chronic disease. Also, the exposure of the gas has to be provided in a controlled environment by the healthcare providers.
As provided in the above diagram, a team of researchers in the early 2000s developed a way to transfer CO molecules into the body. This complex compound is known as CORM. A CO molecule is integrated in the transition metal complex, which then reacts to deliver the gas in the body. To determine the therapeutic effects of CO, scientists have delivered it into mammal bodies such as rats. Many positive outcomes were received due to the transfer of CO by the above process in the rats to treat inflammation from organ transplant. However, scientists are still researching whether it should be delivered into humans due to the usage of transition metals that can cause toxic reactions in the body.
https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-development/Carbon-monoxide-deadly-researchers-want/97/i45
https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/carbon-monoxide-has-unexpected-benefits-dont-try-it-home#:~:text=Carbon%20monoxide%20next%20activates%20an,needed%20oxygen%20to%20the%20tissues.
This is really surprising chemical news. Your straightforward title is very attention-grabbing because of that. Your explanation of the effects is brief, but tantalizing. The use of the CO complex as a controllable source of CO in the body is also intriguing. It is surprising that the New York Times of BBC or other general interest sources have not picked up on this.
ReplyDelete