Interactions between nitrous oxide and tissue plasminogen activator in a rat model of thromboembolic stroke.

Preclinical evidence in rodents has suggested that inert gases, such as xenon or nitrous oxide, may be promising neuroprotective agents for treating acute ischemic stroke. This has led to many thinking that clinical trials could be initiated in the near future. However, a recent study has shown that xenon interacts with tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), a well-recognized approved therapy of acute ischemic stroke. Although intraischemic xenon inhibits tPA-induced thrombolysis and subsequent reduction of brain damage, postischemic xenon virtually suppresses both ischemic brain damage and tPA-induced brain hemorrhages and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. The authors investigated whether nitrous oxide could also interact with tPA.