Lithium ions sodium pump

For the separation and quantification of the cations and anions, a Metrohm AG ion chromatograph (1C), was utilized. The ions analyzed were lithium (Li", sodium (Na" ), ammonium (NILj ), calcium (Ca " ), magnesium (Mg " ), potassium (K ), fluoride (F ), chloride (Cl ), nitrite (N02 ), nitrate (3 ), phosphate (P04 ) and sulphate (S04 ). The instmment was equipped with a 733 IC analytical separation systems, a 732 IC detector, 709 IC pump, 753 Suppressor module and a 750 Auto sampler. A Metrosep Anion Dual 2 column is used for anion detection with the suppressor module at a flow rate of 0.8 ml min while Metrosep C2-100 is used for the cation detection without the suppressor unit at a flow rate of 1.0 ml min Before doing the ion analysis, the IC was calibrated using a series of standard solutions of different concentrations containing the same ion. 

The mechanism of action of U ions remains to be fully elucidated. Oiemi-cally, lithium is the lightest of the alkaU metals, which include such biologically important elements as sodium and potassium. Apart from interference with transmembrane cation fluxes (via ion channels and pumps), a lithium effect of major significance appears to be membrane depletion of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphates, the principal lipid substrate used by various receptors in transmembrane signalling (p. 66). 

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