Erythrocyte glycine in depressed, hypomanic, and euthymic bipolar patients treated with lithium carbonate.
Red blood cell (RBC) glycine levels were examined in 27 bipolar patients, treated with lithium carbonate for a minimum of 8 months, who were either hypomanic, depressed, or euthymic in their mood. We found no difference in the RBC glycine or in the RBC: plasma glycine ratio between the hypomanic, depressed, or euthymic patients (P less than 0.1). There were statistically significant differences in RBC glycine levels in lithium-treated euthymic patients and normal controls. There was a strong positive correlation between serum lithium levels and both RBC glycine levels and the RBC: plasma glycine ratio.
D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005998:Glycine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000502:physiology
D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium; D005998:Glycine