Effects of lithium and rolipram enantiomers on locomotor activity in inbred mice

Rolipram is a racemic drug that increases brain cAMP availability by inhibiting phosphodiesterase. Lithium, on the other hand, reduces cAMP levels in brain by inhibiting adenylate cyclase and by increasing phosphodiesterase activity. Inbred strains of mice were used in the present study to determine whether the opposite effects of lithium and rolipram on cAMP levels were evident from behavioural effects of the drugs. In the first experiment, locomotor activity was measured in strains of male and female mice given an injection of either vehicle, (+)- or (-)-rolipram in order to find appropriate test conditions for studying interactions with lithium. (-)-Rolipram was more potent than its antipode in inducing hypokinesia, and the effects of (+)- and (-)-rolipram depended on mouse strain. In the second experiment, mice received lithium in their food for 3-4 weeks prior to testing, and they were then given an injection of vehicle, (+)- or (-)-rolipram before behaviour tests. Lithium reduced locomotor activity in mice given the vehicle, whereas it counteracted activity-suppressant effects of rolipram. The behavioural findings are consistent with the opposite pharmacological effects of lithium and rolipram on cAMP, and support the notion that cAMP availability in brain may play a role in behavioural effects of lithium and rolipram.