Noble gases as cardioprotectants – translatability and mechanism

Abstract

Several noble gases, although classified as inert substances, exert a tissue-protective effect in different experimental models when applied before organ ischaemia as an early or late preconditioning stimulus, after ischaemia as a post-conditioning stimulus or when given in combination before, during and/or after ischaemia. A wide range of organs can be protected by these inert substances, in particular cardiac and neuronal tissue. In this review we summarize the data on noble gas-induced cardioprotection, focusing on the underlying protective mechanisms. We will also look at translatability of experimental data to the clinical situation.

Effects of helium on inflammatory and oxidative stress-induced endothelial cell damage

“…There is compelling evidence that helium administered in vivo induces preconditioning in humans [3] and animals [34], although the mechanisms underlying this protection remains unclear [35]. Recent data shows helium postconditioning (15 min of helium administered after I/R) involved upregulation of genes involved in autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis.…”

Effects of combined helium pre/post‐conditioning on the brain and heart in a rat resuscitation model

“…In recent years the cadioprotective action of helium has been investigated . Not only the heart but also other tissues like brain and endothelium can be effectively protected by helium .…”

“…In recent years the cadioprotective action of helium has been investigated . Not only the heart but also other tissues like brain and endothelium can be effectively protected by helium . Helium pre‐ and post‐conditioning has been studied in several healthy rat strain, aged and diabetic animals spontaneous hypertensive animals and in human volunteers …”

‘Conditioning the heart’ – lessons we have learned from the past and future perspectives for new and old conditioning ‘drugs’

“…The two reviews dealing with the probable most easily translatable conditioning strategies using anaesthetics or noble gases extensively describe the mechanisms underlying such cardioprotection (Kikuchi et al ., , Smit et al ., ). Protection induced by volatile anaesthetics (Kikuchi et al ., ) and later on noble gases, like xenon and helium (Smit et al ., ), has been recognized for the last two decades.…”

“…The two reviews dealing with the probable most easily translatable conditioning strategies using anaesthetics or noble gases extensively describe the mechanisms underlying such cardioprotection (Kikuchi et al ., , Smit et al ., ). Protection induced by volatile anaesthetics (Kikuchi et al ., ) and later on noble gases, like xenon and helium (Smit et al ., ), has been recognized for the last two decades. Unfortunately, these two reviews come to the disappointing conclusion that the application of these substances, although already clinically used, is still limited and advances in this field are minimal (Kikuchi et al ., , Smit et al ., ).…”