Influence of nitrous oxide on rat skin allograft.

Adult male Lewis/f Mai rats underwent skin allografts and the time for complete loss of the graft was compared among different groups treated with different methods. The rats were exposed in isolation chambers to an atmosphere of either room air (control groups I and IV for nitrous oxide-exposed groups, 20% and 40%, respectively); or an atmosphere of oxygen supplemented respectively with 20% and 40% nitrous oxide (the balance being nitrogen) continuously after transplant surgery (Groups II and V respectively); or 48 hours prior to transplantation and with air exposure only after surgery (Groups III or VI respectively). Results indicated that nitrous oxide-exposed rats had significantly prolonged skin allograft survival.