AIM: To investigate the dynamic changes of ATPases and NOS activities and NO production at different anesthesia phases using thiopental and propofol andifferent anesthetic phases (induction, anesthesia, restoration, and awake), the activities of NOS and ATPase and NO production in cortex and brain stem were meagroup. RESULTS: Ca2+ -ATPase and Na+ ,K+ -ATPase activities in the cortex and brain stem were significantly decreased after administration ofthiopental and propofol,especially at induction, anesthesia, or even restoration phase of thiopental group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01) and at anesthesia phase of propofol group (P＜0.05). NOS activities and NO production decreased from induction to restoration phase with thiopental and propofol anesthesia (P＜0.01). The parameters were returned near to the normal at awaken phase. CONCLUSION: Activities of ATPases and NOS and the production of NO may mediate the anesthesia effects of thiopental and propofol in the rat cortex and brain stem.