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Effect of lithium therapy on inflammatory response.
Inflammation
|March 1, 1986
Summary
Prophylactic lithium therapy alters immune cell function. Lithium significantly reduced chemiluminescence in normal cells and increased spontaneous complement conversion in patient serum.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium is a common prophylactic treatment.
- Its effects on immune cell function require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of lithium therapy on cellular chemiluminescence and complement conversion.
Main Methods:
- Assessing chemiluminescence of normal cells with zymosan opsonized by patient or control serum.
- Measuring spontaneous complement conversion in patient and control serum.
Main Results:
- Lithium-treated patient serum significantly reduced normal cell chemiluminescence compared to control serum.
- Spontaneous complement conversion was elevated in serum from patients on lithium therapy.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic lithium levels (0.4-0.9 mmol/liter) modulate immune responses.
- Lithium affects complement conversion and cellular chemiluminescence.