carbon monoxide (Queen's University)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an inhaled gas being investigated for its therapeutic potential in treating postoperative ileus (POI), a condition characterized by temporary intestinal paralysis following surgery. Developed as an investigational therapy by researchers at Queen's University, CO is delivered at low, non-toxic concentrations (typically 75–250 ppm). Its mechanism of action involves the modulation of the inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract, primarily through the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. These actions lead to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), while promoting anti-inflammatory mediators like IL-10 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). By dampening the inflammatory cascade in the intestinal smooth muscle, inhaled CO aims to accelerate the recovery of gastrointestinal motility after abdominal surgery.

Other names

COinhaled carbon monoxide