Search

Helium has been classified as a kind of inert gas that is not effortless to spark chemical reactions with other substances in the past decades. Nevertheless, the cognition of scientists has gradually changed accompanied with a variety of studies revealing the potential molecular mechanism underlying organ-protection induced by helium. Especially, as a non-anesthetic gas which is deficient of relevant cardiopulmonary side effects, helium conditioning is recognized as an emerging and promising approach to exert favorable effects by mimicking the cardioprotection of anesthetic gases or xenon. In this review we will summarize advances in the underlying biological mechanisms and clinical applicability with regards to the cardioprotective effects of helium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoflurane, a volatile and inhalational anesthetic, has been extensively used in perioperative period for several decades. A large amount of experimental studies have indicated that isoflurane exhibits neuroprotective properties when it is administrated before or after (preconditioning and post-conditioning) neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., hypoxic ischemia, stroke and trauma). Multiple mechanisms are involved in isoflurane induced neuroprotection, including activation of glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, antagonism of ionic channels and alteration of the function and activity of other cellular proteins. Although neuroprotection provided by isoflurane is observed in many animal studies, convincing evidence is lacking in human trials. Therefore, there is still a long way to go before translating its neuroprotective properties into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute brain injury is a critical and emergent condition in clinical settings, which needs to be addressed urgently. Commonly acute brain injuries include traumatic brain injury, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Oxidative stress is a key contributor to the subsequent injuries and impedes the reparative process after acute brain injury; therefore, facilitating an anti-oxidative approach is important in the care of those diseases. Readiness to deliver and permeability to blood brain barrier are essential for the use of this purpose. Inhaled anesthetic gases are a group of such agents. In this article, we discuss the anti-oxidative roles of anesthetic gases against acute brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used in the treatment of a lot of diseases such as decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, carbon dioxide poisoning, soft tissue infection, refractory osteomyelitis, and problematic wound, but little is known about its application in liver transplantation. Although several studies have been conducted to investigate the protective effects of HBO on liver transplantation and liver preservation, there are still some controversies on this issue, especially its immunomodulatory effect. In this short review, we briefly summarize the findings supporting the application of HBO during liver transplantation (including donors and recipients). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim/Objective: ABO incompatible kidney transplantations are getting popular all over the world. It is essential that such transplantations are carried out in our country also. Material and methods: Thirteen patients who had undergone ABO incompatible transplantations in a single center since 2009 were studied. The transplantations have been across different blood group combinations. The preconditioning of the patient was done as per the Japanese protocol. Results: The patients were followed up between 4 weeks to 28 months. Two patients had immediate antibody-mediated rejection with loss of graft. The rest 11 patients have normal graft function without any complication. Conclusion: Successful ABO incompatible transplantation is feasible in our country without endangering the life of recipient with reasonable cost control. Further studies are required to modify the protocol to prevent immediate antibody-mediated rejections (ABMR). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]