Sn (IV) Protoporphyrin IX is an inhibitor heme oxygenase (the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin in the heme degradation pathway) but has also been found to stimulate production of the heme oxygenase protein. Contrast the activity of Co (III) Protoporphyrin which has been found to have similar activities to Sn (IV) Protoporphyrin but with a greater enhancement of heme oxygenase synthesis activity such that heme oxygenase activity is actually increased when administered in vivo while in vitro administration inhibits heme oxygenase activity. Heme oxygenase has been implicated in tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy, reduction of free radical formation and inflammation, and associated with vascular repair.

References

1) Sardana, M. K. and A. Kappas (1987). “Dual control mechanism for heme oxygenase: tin(IV)-protoporphyrin potently inhibits enzyme activity while markedly increasing content of enzyme protein in liver.” Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 84(8): 2464-8.2) Jozkowicz, A., H. Was, et al. (2007). “Heme oxygenase-1 in tumors: is it a false friend?” Antioxid Redox Signal 9(12): 2099-117.3) Abraham, N. G. and A. Kappas (2005). “Heme oxygenase and the cardiovascular-renal system.” Free Radic Biol Med 39(1): 1-25.4) Kim, D. H., A. P. Burgess, et al. (2008). “Heme oxygenase-mediated increases in adiponectin decrease fat content and inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in Zucker rats and reduce adipogenesis in human mesenchymal stem cells.” J Pharmacol Exp Ther 325(3): 833-40.