MOOD STABILIZING AGENT LITHIUM CARBONATE DEPLETES REDUCED GLUTATHIONE IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES DURING LITHIUM TOXICITY

Background: Lithium carbonate is commonly used as mood stabilizing agent but it is so toxic that even its therapeutic dose can cause toxicity. Present work was designed with the aim that whether it has any effect on reduced form of glutathione in human erythrocytes. Material Methods: It was an experimental study conducted in PhD research laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, D.I.Khan during the month of January 2013. Six human volunteers of age group 21-24 years were selected for obtaining fresh blood. Exactly 15ml blood was collected from each volunteer. Erythrocyte’s GSH was treated with different concentrations of lithium carbonate. One-way ANNOVA was applied to test the statistical significance. Results: The decrease in erythrocytes GSH was 31.68%, 34.16%, 37.02%, 38.90%, 40.91% and 43.01% respectively from lowest to highest used concentration of lithium carbonate. A significant decrease in GSH level was observed as lowest one concentration of lithium carbonate has significantly (p 0.005) decreased GSH which was up to 31.68% and this decrease was further noted with the passage of time indicating that during lithium toxicity depletion of erythrocytes GSH is dose and time dependent hence early measures for lithium detoxification guaranteed patient’s safety. Conclusion: Of course lithium is extensively used as mood stabilizer as well as for the treatment of manic depressive psychosis but experts should keep in mind that it is the cause of depletion of GSH in erythrocytes so precautions must be taken during lithium therapy