Beneficial effects of heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation in the development of experimental inflammation induced by zymosan

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is part of the integrated response to oxidative stress. This enzyme may exert anti-inflammatory effects in some animal models, although the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. We have examined the role of HO-1 in the inflammatory response induced by zymosan in the mouse air pouch. Zymosan administration induced HO-1 protein expression in leukocytes migrating to exudates, with maximal levels in the late phase of this response ( 24 - 48 h). This was accompanied by ferritin induction and bilirubin accumulation, indicating that this enzyme is active in our model. HO-1 expression by zymosan treatment was partly reduced by aminoguanidine, suggesting the participation of endogenous nitric oxide in the mechanisms leading to HO-1 synthesis in the zymosan-injected mouse air pouch. Up-regulation of HO-1 by hemin administration resulted in inhibition of nitric-oxide synthase-2 activity, cellular infiltration into the air pouch exudate, and plasmatic exudation. Leukotriene B 4 levels in exudates were significantly decreased in the early phase of this response ( 4 h), whereas interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were inhibited at all time points. Inhibition of HO-1 activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX prevented most of the effects caused by hemin administration. Our results indicate that HO-1 exerts anti-inflammatory effects on the response to zymosan in the mouse air pouch and support a role for this enzyme in the modulation of inflammatory processes.