The influence of lithium on water binding ability, consistency and macromolecules in the rat brain.
Wistar male rats were treated with lithium for 50, 80, and 120 days, respectively. Lithium was added to the diet (40 mmol/kg of diet), the plasma lithium concentration being in the range of 0.55-0.70 mmol/1 of plasma. The treatment caused a significantly more rigid consistency of the brain tissue. The water content and water binding ability in various parts of the brain - measured by a drying course - was unchanged. The content of hexosamine and protein in total brains was significantly decreased (about 10 per cent) after the treatment. The content of chondroitin sulphate in various parts of the brain was unchanged, whereas the content of hyaluronic acid was significantly increased in the cerebellum (25 per cent) and in the thalamic area (20 per cent). The results suggest an influence of lithium on the macromolecules from the extracellular space, causing an alteration of the neuronal function.
D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000378:metabolism; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011149:Pons / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013788:Thalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006595:Hexosamines; D011506:Proteins; D008094:Lithium