Lack of metabolism in (R)-ketamine's antidepressant actions in a chronic social defeat stress model.
Kai Zhang, Yuko Fujita, Kenji Hashimoto
Scientific Reports March 5, 2018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22449-9 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical pharmacokinetic and behavioral study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rodents (chronic social defeat stress model of depression) |
| Interventions | (R)-ketamine (2R 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) |
| Duration | 7 days (antidepressant effect follow-up) |
| Topics | Esketamine Ketamine |
| Key points | A single intracerebroventricular infusion of (R)-ketamine showed rapid and long-lasting (7 days) antidepressant effects in a chronic social defeat stress model, whereas (2R,6R)-HNK infusion showed no antidepressant effect despite higher brain concentrations. The authors argue it is unlikely that (2R,6R)-HNK is essential for the antidepressant actions of (R)-ketamine in this model. |
Abstract
Since the metabolism of (R,S)-ketamine to (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) is reported to be essential for ketamine's antidepressant effects, there is an increasing debate about antidepressant effects of (2R,6R)-HNK. Using pharmacokinetic and behavioral techniques, we investigated whether intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of (R)-ketamine or (2R,6R)-HNK show antidepressant effects in a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model of depression. Low levels of (2R,6R)-HNK in the brain after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine were detected, although brain levels of (2R,6R)-HNK were markedly lower than those after i.c.v. infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK. Furthermore, high levels of (2R,6R)-HNK in the blood and liver after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine or (2R,6R)-HNK were detected. A single i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine showed rapid and long-lasting (7 days) antidepressant effects in a CSDS model. In contrast, i.c.v. infusion of (2R,6R)-HNK did not show any antidepressant effect in the same model, although brain concentration of (2R,6R)-HNK was higher than after i.c.v. infusion of (R)-ketamine. This study suggest that (R)-ketamine in the periphery after washout from the brain is metabolized to (2R,6R)-HNK in the liver, and subsequently, (2R,6R)-HNK enters into brain tissues. Furthermore, it is unlikely that (2R,6R)-HNK is essential for the antidepressant actions of (R)-ketamine in a CSDS model.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ketamine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| mTOR-Dependent Synapse Formation Underlies the Rapid Antidepressant Effects of NMDA Antagonists Rats | 2010 | Observational study | |
| Activation of Glutamatergic Neurotransmission by Ketamine: A Novel Step in the Pathway from NMDA Receptor Blockade to Dopaminergic and Cognitive Disruptions Associated with the Prefrontal Cortex Conscious rats | 1997 | Dose-response study with microdialysis and behavioral testing | |
| NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites Mice | 2016 | Preclinical study | |
| The dissociative anaesthetics, ketamine and phencyclidine, selectively reduce excitation of central mammalian neurones by N‐methyl‐aspartate Spinal neurons in decerebrate or pentobarbitone-anaesthetized cats and rats | 1983 | Experimental study | |
| R-ketamine: a rapid-onset and sustained antidepressant without psychotomimetic side effects Mice | 2015 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- Rapid‐acting antidepressant ketamine, its metabolites and other candidates: A historical overview and future perspective Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences June 19, 2019
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant actions of arketamine: beyond the NMDA receptor Molecular Psychiatry May 7, 2021
- Molecular mechanisms of the rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant actions of (R)-ketamine. Biochemical Pharmacology July 1, 2020
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of ketamine enantiomers and its metabolites Translational Psychiatry November 7, 2019
- A historical review of antidepressant effects of ketamine and its enantiomers. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior February 5, 2020
and 21 more in the library
Cites 22
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- Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets Science October 4, 2012
- NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites Nature April 24, 2016
- Antidepressant Efficacy of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: A Two-Site Randomized Controlled Trial American Journal of Psychiatry August 28, 2013
- A Randomized Add-on Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression Archives of General Psychiatry August 1, 2010
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