[Xenon - noble gas with organprotective properties]

Besides it's anaesthetic properties, xenon may induce biological effects that may protect various organs from ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Xenon is an antagonist of the NMDA-receptor and reduces the neuronal injury mediated via these receptors. In contrast to other NMDA-receptor antagonists, xenon has no neurotoxic side effects. Xenon also protects the heart in ischaemia-reperfusion situations. Xenon reduces the post-ischaemic reperfusion injury and offers cardioprotection by inducing pharmacological preconditioning. These organ protective properties of xenon might be useful in special clinical situations.