Influence of ketamine, phenylcyclidine, and phenobarbital on cholesterol metabolism in rats.

The effects of ip injections of phenobarbital (100 mg/kg), phenylcyclidine (Sernylan; [1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-piperidine-HBl] (1 mg/kg), and ketamine (Ketaset; [dl)2-O-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone-HCl] (1 mg/kg) on lipid metabolism in rats were compared. This study was undertaken to determine whether the two sedatives currently used in primates share any of the undesirable effects of phenobarbital on lipid metabolism. All three compounds were administered to male Wistar rats for 6 days. Phenobarbital was hepatomegalic, stimulated 7alpha hydroxylation of cholesterol, and inhibited cholesterol synthesis by rat liver slices from mevalonate, but not acetate. The two other sedatives exhibited effects very similar to those observed in the controls. From our work in rats it is concluded that the use of Sernylan or Ketaset for sedation of nonhuman primates will not significantly affect these parameters of lipid metabolism.