Carbon Monoxide Transport and Actions in Blood and Tissues

Abstract

This chapter will discuss the transport of carbon monoxide (CO) from the environment to the tissues of the body and physiological effects on blood-borne cells and perivascular tissues. It will review the physiology of CO exchange between alveolar gas and pulmonary capillary blood, dynamics of hemoglobin transport, the effects of CO on blood elements, and the effects of CO on extravascular tissues at the capillary bed. Effects of CO from exogenous and endogenous sources on the activities of different proteins will be reviewed. Because CO binds competitively to heme-containing proteins its effects depend on CO concentration relative to alternative ligands. Therefore, some discussion is devoted to how nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide influence CO effects.

Microparticles in Human Perspiration as an Inflammatory Response Index

“…As was discussed in the Introduction, elevations in blood-borne MPs are seen in association with numerous pathological events. The biochemical mechanisms triggered by carbon monoxide, hyperglycemia, and hypercarbia that lead to MP formation are likely shared by many cells [ 10 , 25 , 26 ]. Hence, it is feasible that monitoring MP changes in perspiration in response to conditions other than SCUBA diving could be useful for assessing immune responses that contribute to pathological changes.…”