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Ketamine inhibits LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in an equine macrophage cell line.
Abstract: Ketamine is widely used in equine anaesthesia. Beside its anaesthetic and analgesic properties, ketamine possesses a cytokine-modulating activity. However, to date, no data are available regarding the inhibitory effect of ketamine on the cytokine response in horses. In horses, cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of equine endotoxaemia following gastrointestinal disorders. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the influence of ketamine on LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 formation in an equine macrophage cell line (eCAS cells). The results demonstrate a cytokine-modulating activity of ketamine in an equine cell line, suggesting a beneficial role for ketamine in the treatment of equine endotoxaemia.
Publication Date: 2005-02-22 PubMed ID: 15720977DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2004061Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research explores how ketamine, a common horse anesthetic, can impact and potentially reduce cytokine response in horses, particularly focusing on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) which play a significant role in equine endotoxaemia associated with gastrointestinal issues.
The Premise of the Study
- The study is aimed at understanding the effects of ketamine, an anesthetic commonly used in equine medicine, on the cytokine response in horses. Specifically, it explores the role of ketamine on two prominent cytokines – tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
- Cytokines are important proteins released by cells that have a crucial role in cell signalling and immune responses. In equine species, TNF-alpha and IL-6 are associated with endotoxaemia, a serious condition that follows gastrointestinal disorders.
- The research examines the inhibitory effect of ketamine on these cytokines using an equine macrophage cell line (eCAS cells)
Findings of the Study
- Findings of the study suggest that ketamine demonstrates a “cytokine-modulating activity” in horses, specifically in an equine cell line.
- This means that ketamine potentially plays a role in regulating or inhibiting the production and activity of cytokines, particularly TNF-alpha and IL-6.
- The inhibitory effect of ketamine on these cytokines could suggest its beneficial role in the treatment of equine endotoxaemia, a serious condition that develops due to gastrointestinal disorders in horses.
Implications of the Research
- If the inhibitory effect of ketamine on these cytokines in an equine cell line is validated through further study, it could lead to new ways of managing equine endotoxaemia. This is significant, as endotoxaemia is a serious condition often resulting in high morbidity rates in horses.
- The findings highlight that apart from its well-known anaesthetic and analgesic properties, ketamine could potentially have a cytokine-modulating role which could be utilized for therapeutic purposes.
- This research adds to the existing understanding of the multiple ways in which ketamine could potentially be used in equine medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
Lankveld DP, Bull S, Van Dijk P, Fink-Gremmels J, Hellebrekers LJ.
(2005).
Ketamine inhibits LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in an equine macrophage cell line.
Vet Res, 36(2), 257-262.
https://doi.org/10.1051/vetres:2004061 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12, 3584 CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands. D.P.K.Lankveld@vet.uu.nl
MeSH Terms
- Anesthetics, Dissociative / pharmacology
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Horses / immunology
- Humans
- Interleukin-6 / metabolism
- Ketamine / pharmacology
- Lipopolysaccharides / antagonists & inhibitors
- Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
- Macrophages / drug effects
- Macrophages / immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Troya-Portillo L, López-Sanromán J, Villalba-Orero M, Santiago-Llorente I. Cardiorespiratory, Sedative and Antinociceptive Effects of a Medetomidine Constant Rate Infusion with Morphine, Ketamine or Both. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 13;11(7).
- Zanos P, Moaddel R, Morris PJ, Riggs LM, Highland JN, Georgiou P, Pereira EFR, Albuquerque EX, Thomas CJ, Zarate CA Jr, Gould TD. Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms. Pharmacol Rev 2018 Jul;70(3):621-660.
- Evans E, Paillot R, López-Álvarez MR. A comprehensive analysis of e-CAS cell line reveals they are mouse macrophages. Sci Rep 2018 May 29;8(1):8237.
- Abelaira HM, Réus GZ, Ignácio ZM, Dos Santos MAB, de Moura AB, Matos D, Demo JP, da Silva JBI, Danielski LG, Petronilho F, Carvalho AF, Quevedo J. Ketamine Exhibits Different Neuroanatomical Profile After Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibition in the Prefrontal Cortex: the Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Mol Neurobiol 2017 Sep;54(7):5335-5346.
- Chang EI, Zárate MA, Rabaglino MB, Richards EM, Arndt TJ, Keller-Wood M, Wood CE. Ketamine decreases inflammatory and immune pathways after transient hypoxia in late gestation fetal cerebral cortex. Physiol Rep 2016 Mar;4(6).
- Reisinger N, Schaumberger S, Nagl V, Hessenberger S, Schatzmayr G. Concentration Dependent Influence of Lipopolysaccharides on Separation of Hoof Explants and Supernatant Lactic Acid Concentration in an Ex Vivo/In Vitro Laminitis Model. PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0143754.
- Zunszain PA, Horowitz MA, Cattaneo A, Lupi MM, Pariante CM. Ketamine: synaptogenesis, immunomodulation and glycogen synthase kinase-3 as underlying mechanisms of its antidepressant properties. Mol Psychiatry 2013 Dec;18(12):1236-41.
- De Kock M, Loix S, Lavand'homme P. Ketamine and peripheral inflammation. CNS Neurosci Ther 2013 Jun;19(6):403-10.
- Wang Y, Xu J, Zhou X, Che L, Qiu M, Liu Y, Gao M, Yang Z. Esketamine/Ketamine: Dual-Action Mechanisms and Clinical Prospects beyond Anesthesia in Psychiatry, Immunology, and Oncology. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2026 Feb;13(7):e16024.
- Huang R, Lin B, Yu L, Luo Q, Tian H, Li C, Wei N, Zhuang S, Chen J, Li Y. S-ketamine facilitates motor function recovery after brachial plexus root avulsion and reimplantation in mice. Front Pharmacol 2025;16:1630158.
- Richards ND, Howell SJ, Bellamy MC, Beck J. The diverse effects of ketamine, jack-of-all-trades: a narrative review. Br J Anaesth 2025 Mar;134(3):649-661.
- Rodriguez Arango JA, Zec T, Khalife M. Perioperative Ketamine and Cancer Recurrence: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med 2024 Mar 26;13(7).
- Pinheiro AV, Petrucci GN, Dourado A, Pires I. Anaesthesia in Veterinary Oncology: The Effects of Surgery, Volatile and Intravenous Anaesthetics on the Immune System and Tumour Spread. Animals (Basel) 2023 Nov 1;13(21).
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