HMOX1 and Hyperglycemia: Furthermore, HO-1 overexpression prevents apoptosis and cell death mediated by hyperglycemia due to the increased levels of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell leukemia-lymphoma-xL (Bcl-xL) and several growth factors, as well as the decreased level of MCP-1 (187), again verifying the beneficial effects of HO-1.