Lithium transport in human fibroblasts: relationship to RBC lithium transport and psychiatric diagnoses.
Cultured fibroblasts were prepared from six normal controls, five DSM-III manic patients, and six DSM-III schizophrenic patients. Lithium (Li+) uptake, 24-hour Li+ ratios, and steady-state membrane potential were measured in these cell lines. The uptake of 10 mM Li+ reached maximum at 2 hours, with an intracellular concentration of approximately 15 mM. No significant difference in uptake was found among subject groups. Twenty-four hour Li+ (ratio of intracellular/extracellular Li+) ratios were determined by incubating the cell lines for 24 hours in the presence of 2 mM Li+. No significant difference was observed among groups; nor was there any significant correlation between the fibroblast 24-hour ratios and 24-hour in vitro ratios determined in donor red cells. The relationship between membrane potential and the 24 hour Li+ ratio in fibroblasts was determined. The average potential in these cell lines was -56 mV and was not affected by Li+ treatment. No correlation between the Li+ ratio and membrane potential was found.
Hitzemann
R
R
Department of Psychiatry, S.U.N.Y., Stony Brook 11794-8101.
Kao
L
L
Hirschowitz
J
J
Garver
D
D
Gruenstein
E
E
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018021:Lithium Chloride; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood*
D002712:Chlorides; D008094:Lithium; D018021:Lithium Chloride