Xenon induces transcription of ADNP in neonatal rat brain

Xenon and other inhalational agents induce cell and organ protection through different and only partially elucidated molecular mechanisms. Anesthesia induced or pharmacologic preconditioning is a recognized mechanism of cell protection. In this study we explored the gene transcription of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) in neonatal rat brain as consequence to xenon exposure, comparing the noble gas to nitrogen. Seven-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were exposed for 120 min to 75% xenon and 25% oxygen or control condition consisting of 75% nitrogen and 25% oxygen (Air). ADNP was found to be differentially expressed by SSH, validated by Relative Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) and confirmed by western blot and immunohistochemistry. The differential expression of ADNP in the rat neonatal brain may account for the preconditioning and neuroprotective effects exerted by gas xenon.