Effects of lithium, diazepam and propranolol on brain Na+-K+-ATPase activity in stress-exposed mice.

The effects of acute i.p. administration of lithium (2 mmol/kg), diazepam (10 mg/kg) and dl-propranolol (2 mg/kg) on brain Na+-K+-ATPase activity in mice exposed to two stressful stimuli (cold and immobilization) were examined. In unstressed mice, lithium and propranolol did not affect the enzyme activity, while diazepam increased it. Interestingly, all the three drugs reversed the stress-induced increase in the brain Na+-K+-ATPase activity. The specificity of this action remains to be clarified.