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Figure 5 | Critical Care

Figure 5

From: Bench-to-bedside review: Molecular pharmacology and clinical use of inert gases in anesthesia and neuroprotection

Figure 5

Helium causes hypothermia in rats, which mediates its neuroprotective effect. (a) Breathing 75% helium at temperatures lower than 37°C results in hypothermia. (b) Breathing 75% helium at 25°C following injury protects the cortex against focal ischemic injury (light grey bar). The protective effect of helium is abolished if the gas is warmed to 35°C (dark grey bars). The striatum is resistant to both injury and the protective effects of hypothermia (shown on the right). *P < 0.05. Figures adapted from David and colleagues [12].

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