Lithium effects: protection against nitrogen narcosis, potentiation of HPNS

The effect of either 10, 8, or 6 meq/kg of intraperitoneal lithium chloride or sodium chloride on the loss of righting response (RR50) produced by 18.2 ATA N2-ATA O2 was examined in rats. Results were compared to the effects of 10, 8, 6, or 4 meq/kg of intraperitoneal lithium chloride given 24 h before determination of the convulsion pressure (PC) in 40 rats compressed with He-O2 at 160 atm/h at 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C. Lithium (10 meq/kg) prevented the nitrogen-narcosis-induced loss of righting response but significantly potentiated the pressure (depth) at which convulsions and tremors occurred.