Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Ketamine, but not propofol, anaesthesia is regulated by metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tzu Chi University Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Background:
Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been reported to regulate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function in various brain regions. The selective mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) can potentiate NMDA antagonists such as PCP and MK-801-induced behavioural responses. In the present study, the role of group I mGluRs on ketamine- and propofol-induced general anaesthesia was examined.
Methods:
Mice were pretreated with various doses of the group I mGluR agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), selective mGluR5 agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG), mGluR1 antagonist 7-(hydroxyimino)cyclopropa[b]chromen-1a-carboxylate ethyl ester (CPCCOEt) and mGluR5 antagonist MPEP followed by administration of ketamine (120 mg kg(-1)) or propofol (140 mg kg(-1)) to induce anaesthesia. The duration of loss of righting reflex was recorded.
Results:
DHPG and CHPG antagonized and MPEP potentiated ketamine-induced anaesthesia in a dose-dependent manner. CPCCOEt was ineffective. However, propofol-induced anaesthesia was not affected after manipulating mGluR1 and mGluR5 receptors.
Conclusions:
mGluR5 receptors play an important role in modulation of anaesthesia induced by ketamine, but not propofol.
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
