Leukocyte transmembrane potential in bipolar illness.
Abnormalities in ion regulation and distribution are commonly reported in bipolar disorder. In an effort to determine if these alter cellular physiological function, we determined the transmembrane potential (TMP) in mononuclear leukocytes from normal individuals and patients with bipolar illness either during normal phase or manic and hypomanic episodes. TMP was analyzed by flow cytometry using dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DIOC6(3)), a cationic potential sensitive fluorescent dye. A normal range was established from measurements on leukocytes from 5 control individuals. TMP of manic and hypomanic patients was significantly hyperpolarized (P = 0.0036). The TMP of euthymic bipolar individuals was not different from normal controls. Pathologic moods in bipolar illness may be associated with altered cellular membrane physiology.
El-Mallakh
R S
RS
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292-0001, USA.
Li
R
R
Worth
C A
CA
Peiper
S C
SC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002462:Cell Membrane; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008875:Middle Aged
D000928:Antidepressive Agents