Repeated ketamine doses elevate superoxide dismutase activity in a pharmacological model of schizophrenia-like phenotypes in mice
INNOSC Theranostics and Pharmacological Sciences February 28, 2025 Yusuf Usman, Adegbuyi Oladele Aderibigbe, Fatai Adewale Fehintola
In mice, repeated sub-anesthetic doses of ketamine (20 mg/kg for 14 days) increased movement counts and rearing in a locomotor activity test and prolonged the time to enter the open arms of an elevated plus maze, indicating heightened anxiety-like behavior. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity in brain tissue was significantly elevated in ketamine-treated mice compared to controls and to mice that later received risperidone (0.5 mg/kg) from days 8 to 14. The elevated SOD activity may represent a compensatory response to oxidative stress from repeated ketamine. Risperidone appeared to prevent both the behavioral changes and the rise in SOD activity.