Last updated: Monday, February 20, 2012
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Heme oxygenase-1 is essential for the growth of blood vessels in the placenta and in establishing blood flow in the umbilical cord. Too little HO-1 can lead to a restriction in the growth of the foetus and even in foetal death and miscarriage.
New research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal Medical Gas Research has shown that low dose carbon monoxide therapy is able to restore placental function and prevent foetal death in mice, without any detrimental effects.
Intra-uterine growth restriction due to problems in placental function and blood flow can result in a ‘small for gestational age’ baby, miscarriage or prenatal death. Both miscarriage and pre-eclampsia are associated with low levels of HO-1 in the placenta; however research suggests that carbon monoxide can mimic the effects of
HO-1.
Carbon monoxide reduces foetal loss
Researchers from the Otto-von-Guericke University, Germany tested carbon monoxide therapy on intrauterine growth restriction in mice. They found that an extended course of low dose (50ppm) carbon monoxide was able to reduce foetal loss from 30% to zero – all the babies survived.
Prof
Article source: http://www.health24.com/news/Pregnancy/1-940,72869.asp
