Lithium immunology

Lithium carbonate (Li2C03) treatment is used worldwide for the prophylactic treatment of bipolar affective disorder. Although the molecular mechanism(s) of action remains uncertain, the efficacy is well-demonstrated and can be maintained by continued use of the drug. Lithium succinate is used to treat seborrheic dermatitis, a skin disorder. Other uses currently being explored include treating immunological disorders and cancers. Schrauzer has proposed that lithium may be an essential trace element and has suggested a daily intake of 1.00 mg day . ... 

Na, K -ATPase Sodium-Potassium Cotransport Lithium and Immunology Gastrointestinal Absorption of Lithium... 

The future of ISEs in the clinical chemistry instrumentation is quite exciting. As described in subsequent sections of this article, the coupling of enzyme and immunological reagents to ISE detectors to form bioelectrode systems appears to offer manufacturers a new approach toward the detection of metabolites such as creatinine and urea directly in blood and urine samples. Ultimately, such biosensors will be placed into complete electrode-based automated clinical analyzers. In addition, continued research on new membrane formulations, particularly liquid membrane ionophore systems, will result in the development of addition electrodes which can be incorporated into current analyzer systems to expand the electrolyte menu. Indeed, recent efforts have indicated that membranes selective fi)r bicarbonate (F5) and lithium (Z2) are likely additions in the near future. 

The effects of lithium on the immune system appear to have a biphasic nature, similar to the actions of lithium on mania and depression. In some circumstances, lithium may activate immune functions, while in others it may damp down excessive immunological reactions. Evidently, lithium... 

Immunologic A case of drug hypersensitivity syndrome with lithium has been described [57 ]. 

The authors attributed the reaction to lithium, but lithium is an ion and cannot elicit an immunological reaction. It is possible that this patient may have had a reaction to a contaminant or a filler substance. 

Immunologic Leukocytosis. A case is described of a 23-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia who had previously developed clozapine-induced leukopenia, and who presented with olanzapine-associated leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, in which treatment with lithium at 600mg/day, allowed olanzapine to be restarted without recurrence of hematologic abnormalities [115 ]. 

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