Effects of reserpine, chlorpromazine and sodium salicylate on the enzymic activity of rat liver.

The effects of reserpine, chlorpromazine and sodium salicylate on oxidative phosphorylation, stimulation of glutamic acid oxidation and adenosinetriphosphatase activity have been compared in vitro with those of 2,4-dinitrophenol using rat liver preparations. All three drugs inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, slightly stimulate glutamic acid oxidation and stimulate adenosinetriphosphatase activity at high concentrations. Reserpine has no effect on adenosinetriphosphatase activity. It is suggested that the characteristic depressant effects of reserpine on isolated tissues in vitro may be due to interference with production of energy by oxidative phosphorylation.