Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Propagation of Dental and Respiratory Cells and Organs in Microgravity
06:29

Propagation of Dental and Respiratory Cells and Organs in Microgravity

Published on: May 25, 2021

Cellular effects of helium in different organs

Gezina T M L Oei1, Nina C Weber, Markus W Hollmann

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Anesthesiology
|May 13, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The noble gas helium, previously thought inert, protects organs from ischemia-reperfusion damage by influencing various signaling pathways. Its favorable characteristics make it a promising therapeutic agent for critically ill patients.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury affects vital organs like the heart and brain.
  • Noble gases, including xenon and volatile anesthetics, are known to mitigate I/R damage.
  • Helium, a nonanesthetic noble gas, has also demonstrated protective effects against I/R injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cellular mechanisms underlying helium-induced organ protection.
  • To explore the potential clinical applications of helium in mitigating I/R damage.
  • To highlight helium's non-inert biological activity and its therapeutic promise.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental research on helium's effects in cardiac and neuronal tissues.
  • Analysis of identified signaling pathways involved in helium-mediated protection.
  • Examination of helium's impact on lungs, immune system, and vasculature.

Main Results:

  • Helium reduces ischemia-reperfusion damage in cardiac and neuronal tissues.
  • Protective effects are observed through pre- and postconditioning protocols.
  • Helium influences cellular processes beyond its anesthetic properties, affecting multiple organ systems.

Conclusions:

  • Helium exhibits significant biological activity, counteracting ischemia-reperfusion injury.
  • Its favorable characteristics and lack of hemodynamic side effects suggest suitability for critically ill patients.
  • Further research into helium's mechanisms may lead to novel clinical strategies for tissue salvage.

More Related Videos

Study of Experimental Organ Donation Models for Lung Transplantation08:56

Study of Experimental Organ Donation Models for Lung Transplantation

Published on: March 15, 2024

Permeabilization of Adhered Cells Using an Inert Gas Jet08:21

Permeabilization of Adhered Cells Using an Inert Gas Jet

Published on: September 4, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity01:24

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

Breathing, otherwise known as pulmonary ventilation, is the process of air movement into and out of the lungs. The main mechanisms propelling pulmonary ventilation are atmospheric pressure (Patm), intra-pulmonary (Ppul ) or intra-alveolar pressure (Palv) within the alveoli, and intrapleural pressure (Pip) within the pleural cavity.
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
Factors Affecting Respiration01:24

Factors Affecting Respiration

Respiration is a crucial physiological function involving exchanging oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) between an organism and its environment. Various factors can impact this essential process:
Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers01:31

Chemical Factors Affecting Respiration Centers

Chemical factors such as changing CO2, O2, and H+ levels in arterial blood play a critical role in influencing respiration depth and rates. These variations are detected by chemoreceptors—specialized sensors located in two primary body areas. Central chemoreceptors are found throughout the brain stem, including the ventrolateral medulla, while peripheral chemoreceptors are located in the aortic arch and carotid arteries.
CO2 has a potent influence on respiration and is strictly regulated. Under...
External and Internal Respiration01:24

External and Internal Respiration

External respiration occurs in the lungs, and it is the first step in the journey of oxygen inside the body. When we inhale, oxygen enters our lungs and diffuses across the thin alveolar membrane. The alveoli are tiny, air-filled sacs that provide a vast surface area for gas exchange. Oxygen in the alveoli has a higher partial pressure (105 mmHg) than in the adjacent pulmonary capillaries (40 mmHg), establishing a pressure gradient. As a result, oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the...
Respiration and Gaseous Exchange01:20

Respiration and Gaseous Exchange

The intricate interplay between the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is crucial for efficiently transporting respiratory gases throughout the body. Let us explore the cardiovascular system's multifaceted functions, emphasizing its pivotal role in gas exchange.
Respiration involves the exchange of gases, especially oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the alveoli and body cells, a process facilitated by blood circulation. As a result, the cardiovascular system, which involves the...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally-occurring, and fewer still are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.The Periodic Table Provides Information about...