The Effects of Intravenous Heme Arginate on Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression (HO-1) and Oxidative Stress in the Human Heart

Ischemia reperfusion injury may be attenuated by HO-1 induction. Our previous data confirmed strong HO-1 induction in peripheral blood cells following heme arginate infusion in healthy humans. Furthermore, we could demonstrate the amelioration of experimental ischemia reperfusion injury in the calf musculature by heme arginate in healthy subjects as measured by functional MRI. Therefore, we propose that HO-1 induction in the human heart may be a suitable target to mitigate cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. The HO-1 induction will be assessed in a clinical trial by myocardial biopsy prior to and after aortic cross-clamping in subjects with or without preceding heme arginate treatment in two different dosages. The HO-1 expression will also be measured in the clinical trials in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. As additional outcome, levels of myoglobin, creatine-kinase and troponin T and reactive oxygen species will be measured in plasma according to standard laboratory procedures.