Heme oxygenase-1 detection

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a microsomal enzyme that degrades heme, a prosthetic group of the heme protein family (e.g., hemoglobin), into the bile pigment biliverdin. Biliverdin is subsequently converted to bilirubin, carbon monoxide, and reduced iron. Bilirubin has an anti-inflammatory effect and is part of the oxidative stress response due to its strong free radical scavenging activity, whereas carbon monoxide has a vasodilatory effect on organ blood flow.