Effect of lithium on gastro-intestinal complications in alloxan-diabetic rats

1. Decreased beta-adrenergic and serotonergic responses have been reported in gastro-intestinal tract of experimentally diabetic rats. Effects of lithium on the decreased beta-adrenergic and serotonergic responsiveness of the gastro-intestinal tract due to diabetes were investigated using gastric fundus strips and proximal duodenum from alloxan diabetic rats. 2. A 6-day treatment with lithium chloride (2 mEq/kg i.p. in saline) normalized the decreased gastro-intestinal responses of the alloxan-diabetic rats, whereas the lithium treatment did not affect the elevated blood glucose levels due to experimental diabetes. 3. Furthermore, the lithium treatments of control and alloxan-diabetic rats did not alter the relaxing effect of manganese chloride on the isolated duodenum. 4. These results strongly suggest that the improving effect of lithium is not related to adenylate cyclase activation and may be as a consequence of its direct action on the diabetic gastro-intestinal smooth muscles.