Neuroprotective Properties of Xenon

Abstract

Xenon is a noble gas that establishes neuroprotection, anesthesia and serves as a contrast agent in nuclear medicine. Its lack of side effects, safe cardiovascular and organoprotective profiles as well as effective neuroprotective role 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, preventing the following calcium accumulation cascades. Xenon is also used in combination therapies together with hypothermia. The neuroprotective effects of xenon and hypothermia cooperate synergistically whether they are applied synchronously or asynchronously. In addition, xenon demonstrates many favorable pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, which could be used in certain clinical settings (cardiopulmonary bypass). This gas is capable of interacting with a variety of molecular targets, and some of them are modulated in anesthesia-relevant brain regions. Besides these anesthetic and analgesic effects, xenon has been shown to exert substantial organoprotective properties, especially in the brain and the heart. Several experimental studies have demonstrated a reduction in cerebral and myocardial infarction after xenon application. Distinguishing properties of xenon promise for innovations in medical gas field.