title: Lymphocyte Phospho-Ser-9-GSK-3β/Total GSK-3β Protein Levels Ratio Is Not Affected by Chronic Lithium or Valproate Treatment in Euthymic Patients With Bipolar Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibition by lithium has been well established in vitro, but proof that this biochemical effect mediates lithium's beneficial action in patients with bipolar disorder is lacking. We studied whether lymphocyte GSK-3β activity measured indirectly in lithium- or valproate (VPA)-treated euthymic patients with bipolar disorder is different from controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lymphocyte total and Ser-9-phospho-GSK-3β (inactive) levels were measured by Western blotting. Forty-seven patients with bipolar disorder and 32 age- and sex-matched control subjects were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences were found between lithium- and VPA-treated patients and controls in phospho-GSK-3β, total GSK-3β, or their ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data do not support the concept that in vivo, during chronic treatment of bipolar illness, GSK-3β is inhibited either by lithium or by VPA.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, †School for Community Health Professions, and ‡Psychiatry Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev; and §Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Abed N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Azab
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vainer
authors.forename: Galila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Agam
authors.forename: Yuly
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bersudsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D014635:Valproic Acid; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta