Carbon Monoxide Inhibitor Controls Traumatic Bleeding

A chemical that blocks carbon monoxide (CO) has been used for the first time to arrest traumatic bleeding in rats, according to a Tulane University research team. The study of CO in the tissues -- including its role in diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, hypertension and asthma -- has become the subject of increasing interest for researchers. However, this is the first time scientists are looking at its role in soft tissue trauma, said lead researcher Mary E. McCarty, who presented the study at an APS session at Experimental Biology 2006.