Metalloporphyrins, used for HO-1 inhibition, themselves affect hepatic microcirculation, liver function, and hepatocellular integrity.

Background: Metalloporphyrins (MPs) are broadly used in the studies of the role of the heme oxygenase (HO)-1 system in different stress models. However, possible side effects of the MP administration itself have to be further investigated.

Methods: Sin IV mesoporpyhrin IX (SnMP; 10 micromol/kg body weight), tin protoporpyhrin IX (SnPP; 50 micromol/kg body weight), or chromium mesoporpyhrin IX (CrMP; 40 micromol/kg body weight) were administered to Sprague-Dawley rats (each group, n=5).