Ruthenium could be used to deliver carbon monoxide to parts of the body to medicate them, new research has suggested.

According to research carried out by the University of Sheffield, using ruthenium and other carbonyls of metals to carry small doses of carbon monoxide around the body could help to improve treatment of a number of complaints.

The researchers found that small amounts of carbon monoxide can help to reduce inflammation, widen blood vessels, increase blood flow, prevent unwanted blood clotting and suppress the activity of cells that attack transplanted organs.

Scientists at the university worked in conjunction with experts from Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research to develop carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CO-RMs), using ruthenium and other metals to release carbon monoxide in the body over a period of between 30 minutes and several hours.

"The molecules dissolve in water, so they can be made available in an easy-to-ingest, liquid form that quickly passes into the bloodstream," explained professor Brian Mann, who led the research.

He added: "As well as making it simple to control how much CO is introduced into a patient's body, it will be possible to refine the design of the molecules so that they target a particular place while leaving the rest of the body unaffected."

Source:

Chemistry turns killer gas into potential cure, 15/10/2007
http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2007/902.html

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