Scientists studying carbon monoxide as a possible treatment for sepsis

Excerpt from the Press Release:

By Celine Zadorsky

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection triggers excessive inflammation. The inflammatory response can cause damage to organs such as the heart, liver, lungs and brain. While there are currently limited treatments for sepsis, researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute are working to change that by examining the use of carbon monoxide releasing molecules to treat patients. “This is an unusual approach that is looking at using carbon monoxide which is the infamous gas molecule,” says Dr. Gedas Cepinskas, Scientist and Director of the Centre for Critical Illness Research at Lawson. “If administered and used in small non-toxic concentrations, carbon monoxide can offer very potent protective and anti-inflammatory effects.”

Dr. Cepinskas is one of just a few scientists worldwide studying carbon monoxide releasing molecules to treat inflammatory conditions such as sepsis. While carbon monoxide is commonly known as dangerous, using it in a controlled manner does not pose a danger and may have therapeutic potential. “Our immune system is usually our defense system, but with sepsis it becomes so activated it starts to attack our own cell tissues, resulting in injury and dysfunction of the affected organs,” explains Dr. Cepinskas. “Almost each and every cell in our body naturally produces carbon monoxide which is used in defense against harmful and injured stimuli, so we are taking advantage of this knowledge and currently we are the only lab in Canada working on this potential carbon monoxide-based therapy.”

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