XENON in medical area: emphasis on neuroprotection in hypoxia and anesthesia

Ecem Esencan, Simge Yuksel, Yusuf Berk Tosun, Alexander Robinot, Ihsan Solaroglu, John H Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Xenon is a medical gas capable of establishing neuroprotection, inducing anesthesia as well as serving in modern laser technology and nuclear medicine as a contrast agent. In spite of its high cost, its lack of side effects, safe cardiovascular and organoprotective profile and effective neuroprotective role after hypoxic-ischemic injury (HI) favor its applications in clinics. Xenon performs its anesthetic and neuroprotective functions through binding to glycine site of glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor competitively and blocking it. This blockage inhibits the overstimulation of NMDA receptors, thus preventing their following downstream calcium accumulating cascades. Xenon is also used in combination therapies together with hypothermia or sevoflurane. The neuroprotective effects of xenon and hypothermia cooperate synergistically whether they are applied synchronously or asynchronously. Distinguishing properties of Xenon promise for innovations in medical gas field once further studies are fulfilled and Xenon's high cost is overcome.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)4
JournalMedical gas research
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2013

Disciplines

  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Biological Engineering
  • Neuroscience and Neurobiology

Cite this