Use of Xenon Gas in Humans - Research Paper Example

Use of Xenon Gas in Humans Overview Medical researchers have constantly been concerned about the need to identify the best chemicals and compounds that exist in their natural states, which can be used for the promotion of health. But considering how delicate human lives are, conclusions are not easily made about the possible use of chemicals and elements in humans. Any form of acceptable use of chemicals and elements has always come as a result of long term scientific studies and research. According to The Linde Group (2011), for most naturally occurring elements, conclusions on the possible use in humans take place after research has focused on the pharmacology, toxicology and chemistry of the elements. With this standard of practice known, this research paper focuses on the use of xenon in humans for medical and clinical purposes. This is done with particular emphasis on the pharmacology, toxicology and chemistry of xenon. Xenon will be noted to be a chemical element which is colorless, dense and odorless. With atomic number of 54, xenon is a noble gas, which occur the earth’s atmosphere in scanty amount (Kirkland, 2013). One thing that makes xenon a particularly interesting chemical element worth scientific and pharmacological investment is the seeming unpredictable nature of xenon’s reactivity. The research paper will therefore focus on this aspect of this noble gas. Clinical Pharmacology Once xenon gas enters the human system, there are several pharmacological characteristics that it exhibits. First, Arola, et al. (2013) stressed that once xenon gas enters the human body it has the ability of easily passing through the cell membranes without any hindrance. This is generally possible because of the pharmacological feature of xenon, which makes it readily diffusible. As posited by Zahnle (2013), the fact that xenon is readily diffusible, it is neither utilized nor produced by the body. In effect, xenon enters the human body as a neutral agent that is neither used by the body nor naturally reproduced or manufactured by the body. This however does not mean that the xenon gas’ entry into the body is associated with no clinical pharmacological roles. For example it is known that apart from the cell membranes, xenon can also pass freely and causes exchanges between blood and tissues. As this passage activity is performed, the gas concentrates largely on the body fat rather than the blood, water, plasma, or protein solutions (Esencan et al., 2013). In a study by Kirkland (2013), it was debated that most forms of clinical pharmacology given about xenon is highly dependent on how much concentration of the gas gets into the body. Based on the latter findings, Giacalone M. et al. (2013) observed that for most acceptable concentrations of xenon used in diagnostic studies its pharmacology can be considered as physiologically inactive. This means that for a typical single inhalation of xenon gas, the gas will travel through the alveolar wall and trigger a pulmonary venous circulation, which takes place through the support of the capillaries. This way, the single inhaled xenon returns to the lungs after going through the circulation stream so that it can be successfully exhaled after it has undergone a single journey through the peripheral circulation (Arola, et al., 2013). Relating the pharmacology of xenon to its usage in humans and for medicinal use, The Linde Group (2011) stressed that the naturally compatibility between xenon and the circulation stream guarantees xenon as a cardio-protective agent in ischemia-reperfusion conditions. The cardio-protective state is attained as the xenon gas induces pharmacologic non-ischemic preconditioning as ischemia-reperfusion conditions are presented. In another study by Boulos and Manuel (2011), it was noted that the cardio-protective nature of xenon is attained as the element activates protein kinase C-epsilon (PKC-epsilon) and downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p38-MAPK). To conclude on the pharmacology therefore, it is right to state that with its natural pharmacology, xenon does not offer medical usefulness unless triggered with external agents. Metabolic and Toxicological Effects Early metabolic and toxicological studies on water-soluble xenon were first performed on mice. With time, the studies expanded to include humans, based on which sufficient knowledge has now been gathered on what constitutes the metabolic and toxicological effects of xenon. It is important to note however that, Esencan et al. (2013) stressed that the best outcomes with metabolic and toxicological effects of xenon are found when the gas is studied in a water-soluble format. In such a study, sodium xenate was used to know the moderate toxicity of xenon. The study concluded that the metabolic and toxicological effects of the sodium xenate manifest differently when the compounds are used or injected intravenously from when they are injected intraperitoneally (Zahnle, 2013). This is because the intravenous injection manifested to be moderately toxic as the median lethal dose produced was measured to be in the range of 18 and 21 mg/kg (Harding and Johnson, 2002). In mice, early deaths occurred through convulsion and tetanic contractions but no form of such deaths have been recorded since human subjects were used (Kirkland, 2013). Also, the sodium xenate injected intravenously was found to leave the body very quickly, indicating a very low retention of the xenon gas in the human body. As a matter of fact, up to 50% of reduction can occur within a period of 20 seconds, with further 20% going away in the next 75 seconds (Arola, et al., 2013). On the other hand, when the injection of the sodium xenate is done intraperitoneally, the rate at which it is found to leave the body is noted to be rather slow. Chemistry of xenon As stressed earlier, xenon is a noble gas, which means that it is in group 18 of the periodic table. As far as the chemical composition of xenon as a noble gas is concerned, it would be noted that xenon is an element placed for above other elements that reacting with these elements is very difficult (Giacalone M. et al., 2013). Harris (2013) noted however that reactivity is not total impossibility with xenon or other noble gases. This is because under very unusual circumstances, it is possible that xenon would react with other elements. For example in a study by Juul and Ferriero (2014), it was observed that it is possible for xenon to go through few chemical reactions such as what happens with the formation of xenon hexaflouroplatinate. Xenon hexafluoroplatinate is actually known to be the first noble gas compound that has been synthesized (The Linde Group, 2011). when xenon occurs in natural environments, they are known to be made up of eight stable isotopes. In some cases however, scientist have argued that the number of total naturally existing isotopes of xenon are nine. Chemically, the number of isotopes and their behavior in xenon makes the element very unique. For example it is known that the isotopes of xenon are made up of different number of neutrons, which are also composed of more than 18 radioactive isotopes of xenon (Esencan et al., 2013). From the basis that isotopes of xenon are made up of over 18 radioactive isotopes, Zahnle (2013) emphasized that radioactive isotopes are chemically unstable, making them highly reactive. For pharmacists and others in the drug and medical industry therefore, the quest to use xenon in humans has to focus on ways in which the element’s reactivity, ignited by the presence of its isotopes can be controlled. This is because in a study by Harris (2013), it was discovered that radioactive isotopes share the same characteristics as the elements they represent, which means that if not chemically controlled, xenon could be highly reactive when used in used in humans. Always linking the chemical composition of xenon to its use in humans, Giacalone M. et al. (2013) agreed that the most important issue to look at is the isotopes of xenon. This is because isotopes are very important when dealing with radioactive decay, which is the breakdown of the nucleus as a result of instability. But as far as radioactive decay is concerned, the use of xenon in humans cannot be said to pose much trouble. This is because the process of radioactive decay is common among unstable isotopes but in xenon, there are eight stable isotopes linked to it (Juul and Ferriero, 2014). Medical use of xenon gas in humans Medically, there are four major areas of use with xenon in humans. The first and perhaps the most popular is the use of xenon as a general anesthetic. As noted earlier, once xenon enters the body, it would virtually have no recognizable effect on any organ until it is induced with other additional agents. In the same way, xenon functions as an anesthetic because it interacts with several receptors and ion channels (Zhou, Zhao, Gong and Li, 2006). In the view of Harding and Johnson (2002), even though the external receptors and ion channels may influence the functionality of xenon as a general anesthetic, the element by itself acts as a high-affinity glycine site N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. The actual functioning as an anesthetic is thus made possible as xenon inhibits acetylcholine alpha4beta2 receptors, which is a major onset agent for spinally mediated analgesia (Boulos and Manuel, 2011). Again, xenon has been found to be medically useful in humans as neuroprotectant. What this means is that the element possesses the ability to induce both cardio and neuro protection as part of chemical and pharmacological mechanisms of action (Juul and Ferriero, 2014). But again, the important role that external agents play in this would be emphasized. For example, in its functionality as neuroprotectant, xenon has always been used through the influence and functionality of other agents such as Ca2+, K+, potassium Adenosine triphosphate (KATP) and NMDA antagonism xenon. Most of its functionality as a neuroprotectant has also been known to be limited to cases and instances of ischemic injuries. In a recent event, a new born who needed additional ventilation support to live was supported with ventilation which contained xenon gas and the baby’s life was sustained. Some scientists have found a high success rate between the mixture of xenon and oxygen. Once such mixture is inhaled by humans, they are known to lead to the creation of an important transcription factor, needed in increasing the production of erythropoietin, which is HIF-1-alpha (Boulos and Manuel, 2011). Meanwhile, as a hormone, erythropoietin has been noted to be highly effective in increasing the production of red blood cells in humans. Because of this, the inhalation of xenon and oxygen mixture has been linked with doping effects in athletes, as the increase in red blood cells helps in awaking the senses of humans and enhancing performance (Harding and Johnson, 2002). It would however be noted that in globalised perspective, most sport organizations prohibit the usage of xenon as a dope. The last aspect of medical use of xenon in humans has to do with its functionality and important role in imaging. It would be noted that imaging in humans is a separate medical practice that is considered by many as very risky and fatal in some cases. Because of this, much care and concern is attached when imaging has to take place with organs such as the heart, lungs and brain. Meanwhile, Harris (2013) emphasized that gamma emission produced radioisotope 133Xe of xenon is very safe for the heart, lungs and brain alike. Already, the danger with isotopes has been related to cases where they are known to be unstable. However, there are as many as eight stable isotopes of xenon, which means that when used in imaging, chances of unguarded and unwanted reactivity are totally absent. Conclusion From the major findings made from this research paper, it can be concluded that much work has gone into the understanding of the role of xenon in human health. Such works started far back when mice when used to determine the pharmacology, chemistry and more importantly the toxicity of the noble gas. Today, there is no denying the fact that much scientific research has been undertaken to clear the effectiveness and safe use of xenon in humans. From both the pharmacology and toxicity studies, it was noted that xenon is highly tolerant through the human system. This is because it is able to go through the circulation stream in a non-reactive form when no external agents are introduced. But even in cases where diagnostic permissible agents are used, the pharmacology of this noble gas is enhanced further to make it highly useful and necessary in addressing most form of medical competence including use as anesthesia, neuroprotection, doping, and even imaging. The only area of the concern that the study highlighted in terms of the use of xenon in humans is when it is used as water-soluble xenon compound with combination with other elements as sodium to form sodium xenate. But even in such cases, xenon has been noted to have a very rapid decomposition rate, making it generally safe. References Arola, O. J. et al. (2013). Feasibility and cardiac safety of inhaled xenon in combination with therapeutic hypothermia following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Critical Care Medicine Journal, 41(9), 2116 – 2121. Boulos, M. S. & Manuel, O.K. (2011). The xenon record of extinct radioactivities in the earth. Science,174(4016), 1334–6. Esencan, E. et al. (2013). XENON in medical area: emphasis on neuroprotection in hypoxia and anesthesia. Medical Gas Research, 3(1), 1-11. Giacalone M. et al. (2013). Xenon-related analgesia: A new target for pain treatment. Clin J Pain, 29, 639–643. Harding, C. & Johnson, D. A. (2002). Elements of the p block. 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