Acute Ketamine Impairs Mitochondrial Function and Promotes Superoxide Dismutase Activity in the Rat Brain

Abstract

Acute ketamine administration impaired the function of mitochondrial complex I leading to increased mtNOS activity, increased generation of hydrogen peroxide and NO, resulting in superoxide dismutase triggering, and improved antioxidant activity. The present findings clarify the role of NO modulation in ketamine anesthesia, providing new data on a relevant clinical mechanism.