[Effect of long-term use of lithium on kidney function]

The effect of lithium and other antipsychotic drugs on the renal function in patients with manic-depressive disorders has been investigated. Thirty-four patients (5 males and 29 females) treated with lithium and 21 patients (6 males and 15 females) on other antipsychotic drugs were studied. A control group of 10 persons consisting of healthy subjects, all of whom were taking no medication was also studied. No significant differences in the treatment duration were present between the patients investigated. Although few patients on lithium had glomerular filtration reduced, no statistically significant difference in creatinine clearance was found between the groups. None of the patients had a disturbance in the reabsorption of glucose, amino acids (histidine, lysine, valine, glutamine, glycine, serine, taurine, threonine, alanine, isoleucine) and beta 2-microglobulin. Patients treated with lithium had a significantly reduced urine concentration and higher daily diuresis than did the other two studied groups. A significantly higher overnight elimination of alkaline phosphatase was found in a group of patients taking other antipsychotic drugs. The attained results suggest tubular lesions in patients with manic-depressive psychosis occurring in the association with the prophylactic use of lithium and, at same time, the possibility of the other in association with the other antipsychotic drugs.