HO-1 induction by hemin shows a protective role against ventilator induced lung injury in rabbits with ALI/ARDS, increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, such as IL-10, as well as decreasing the inflammatory infiltrate of immune system cells and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-8 [118] (Figure 2). Here, HMOX1 is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.