Ketamine Inhibits Transcription Factors Activator Protein 1 and Nuclear Factor-κB, Interleukin-8 Production, as well as CD11b and CD16 Expression: Studies in Human Leukocytes and Leukocytic Cell Lines

Abstract

The immunoinhibitory effects of ketamine are at least in part caused by inhibition of transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1, which regulate production of proinflammatory mediators. However, signaling mechanisms different from those present in the central nervous system are responsible for ketamine-mediated immunomodulation.