Fu L, Tang R, Bao N, Wang J, Ma H
Die Pharmazie – An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2011 Oct;66(10):771-6.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ketamine has always been used in combination with propofol in paediatric patients. Ketamine interacts with N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor to exert its biologic actions. The NMDA receptor NR2B subunit is expressed at nearly adult level during forebrain development in the cortex and considered as the major type of functional NMDA receptor in the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate whether ketamine or ketamine in combination with propofol induces apoptosis and regulates the expression level of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in rat forebrain culture.
METHODS: Rat primary forebrain cultures were exposed to different concentrations of ketamine (1 μM, 10 μM, 20 μM) or 20 μM ketamine plus 5 μM propofol on the 6th day for 12 h. Cell viability was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Caspase-3 activity was measured and apoptotic morphology was examined by Hoechst dye staining. The expression of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit at mRNA and protein level was determined by qPCR and Western blot, respectively.
RESULTS: Ketamine (10 μM and 20 μM) or 20 μM ketamine plus 5 μM propofol resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability, and a significant increase in caspase-3 activity and apoptosis of primary rat forebrain culture. The expression of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit at both mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated by administration of ketamine (1 μM, 10 μM and 20 μM) and 20 μM ketamine plus 5 μM propofol.
CONCLUSION: Ketamine (10 μM or 20 μM) alone or in combination with propofol (20 μM ketamine plus 5 μM propofol) induces neuroapoptosis and down-regulates of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in rat forebrain culture.