Two Faces of Heme Catabolic Pathway in Newborns: A Potential Role of Bilirubin and Carbon Monoxide in Neonatal Inflammatory Diseases.

摘要: In an infant's body, all the systems undergo significant changes in order to adapt new, extrauterine environment and challenges which it poses. Fragile homeostasis can be easily disrupted as defensive mechanisms are yet imperfect. The activity of antioxidant enzymes, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, is low; therefore, neonates especially vulnerable oxidative stress. Free radical burden significantly contributes neonatal illnesses such sepsis, retinopathy premature, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or leukomalacia. However, newborns have important ally-an inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression rises rapidly response stress stimuli. HO-1 leads production carbon monoxide (CO), free iron ion, biliverdin; latter promptly reduced bilirubin. Although CO bilirubin used considered noxious by-products, new interesting properties those compounds being revealed. Bilirubin proved efficient radicals scavenger modulator immune responses. affects a vast range processes vasodilatation, platelet aggregation, inflammatory reactions. Recently, developed nanoparticles consisting PEGylated well several kinds molecules releasing been successfully tested on animal models diseases. This paper focuses role metabolites their potential utility prevention treatment