Lithium chloride toxicity and pharmacodynamics in inbred mice

Inbred strains of male mice (C3H, DBA, BALB, C57) were used to determine whether genetic factors play a role in lithium toxicity. Significant differences in the LD50 for LiCl were observed between the mouse strains after a subcutaneous injection of 37 degrees isotonic LiCl. The LD50 values in the C3H, DBA, BALB and C57 strains were 17.4, 17.6, 18.2, and 19.4 mmol/kg, respectively. Significant differences were also observed between the mouse strains in the concentrations of lithium in plasma, heart, liver, kidney and brain 2 hrs. after a subcutaneous injection of 15.1 or 18.2 mmol/kg LiCl, but the lithium concentrations were not related in an obvious manner to LiCl toxicity. The results show that genetic factors can influence the toxicity and pharmacodynamics of lithium.