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Ketamine's effect on inflammation and kynurenine pathway in depression: A systematic review
- Source :
- Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Ketamine is a novel rapid-acting antidepressant with high efficacy in treatment-resistant patients. Its exact therapeutic mechanisms of action are unclear; however, in recent years its anti-inflammatory properties and subsequent downstream effects on tryptophan (TRP) metabolism have sparked research interest. Aim: This systematic review examined the effect of ketamine on inflammatory markers and TRP–kynurenine (KYN) pathway metabolites in patients with unipolar and bipolar depression and in animal models of depression. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched on October 2020 (1806 to 2020). Results: Out of 807 initial results, nine human studies and 22 animal studies on rodents met the inclusion criteria. Rodent studies provided strong support for ketamine-induced decreases in pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely in interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and indicated anti-inflammatory effects on TRP metabolism, including decreases in the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Clinical evidence was less robust with high heterogeneity between sample characteristics, but most experiments demonstrated decreases in peripheral inflammation including in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Preliminary support was also found for reduced activation of the neurotoxic arm of the KYN pathway. Conclusion: Ketamine appears to induce anti-inflammatory effects in at least a proportion of depressed patients. Suggestions for future research include investigation of markers in the central nervous system and examination of clinical relevance of inflammatory changes.
- Subjects :
- Kynurenine pathway
Bipolar Disorder
medicine.medical_treatment
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Inflammation
Pharmacology
03 medical and health sciences
chemistry.chemical_compound
0302 clinical medicine
cytokine
Medicine
Animals
Humans
Pharmacology (medical)
Ketamine
Depression (differential diagnoses)
Depressive Disorder, Major
business.industry
Tryptophan
Original Papers
Antidepressive Agents
030227 psychiatry
kynurenine
Psychiatry and Mental health
Cytokine
chemistry
depression
Antidepressant
Cytokines
medicine.symptom
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Kynurenine
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14617285
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....b177abdd88387ce76fd38864ad418e34