Antagonistic effects of propranolol upon ethanol-induced narcosis in mice

The interaction of dl-propranolol with narcosis induced by ethanol was studied in mice. dl-propranolol reduced significantly the duration of ethanol-induced narcosis. This antagonism was also present in animals pre-treated with pyrazole. The d-isomer of propranolol, devoid of beta-blocking action, did not decrease the duration of ethanol-induced narcosis. The blood levels of ethanol at the end of narcosis were similar in animals with or without dl-propranolol pre-treatment. These results support the hypothesis that this action of dl-propranolol could be mediated by central adrenergic beta receptors.