Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases Using Noble Gas Mixtures

Abstract

The invention disclosed provides means of inhibiting, ameliorating, and/or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through the use of Noble gas containing mixtures. In one embodiment, the invention provides means of reducing inflammation and immune associated pathology through administration of Noble gas mixtures. In one specific embodiment, Xenon gas is administered to a patient in need at concentrations and frequencies sufficient to inhibit inflammatory and autoimmune processes. In another embodiment Noble gas mixtures are administered to reduce pain and provide symptomatic relieve to a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In another embodiment the use of Noble gas containing mixtures is disclosed as a means of reducing joint destruction through inhibition of matrix metalloprotease production and activity.

1 . A method of alleviating pain in a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease comprising the steps of: a) identifying a patient suffering from pain associated with an autoimmune disease b) providing to said patient a noble gas composition comprising between 25-30% xenon and 70-75% air or oxygen by total volume of the noble gas composition in an amount sufficient to alleviate the pain. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said noble gas composition containing mixture consists essentially only of: a) oxygen and xenon or b) air and xenon. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said noble gas composition further comprises containing mixture also contains a gas selected from the group consisting of: nitrogen, helium, nitric oxide, krypton, argon and neon. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said identification and alleviation of said pain is determined using a visual analog scale. 
     
     
         5 . A method of increasing sensitivity to an anti-cytokine biologic treatment in a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease, comprising:
 identifying a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease; and   providing to said patient a noble gas composition comprising between 25-30% xenon and 70-75% air or oxygen by total volume of the noble gas composition in an amount sufficient to increase sensitivity to said anti-cytokine biologic treatment.   
     
     
         6 . A method of inducing antigen specific tolerance patient suffering from an autoimmune disease, comprising:
 identifying a patient suffering from an autoimmune disease, and having an intolerance to an antigen; and providing to said patient a noble gas composition comprising between 25-30% xenon and 70-75% air or oxygen by total volume of the noble gas composition in an amount sufficient to induce tolerance to said antigen.