AN EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON THE TOXIC NATURE OF THE LITHIUM CARBONATE USED AS A COMMON MOOD STABILIZATION AGENT

Background: To stabilize the mood a commonly used agent is lithium carbonate but its nature is very toxic that toxicity can be the outcome of its small dose. We aimed in this research that this agent causes any reduction effect on the glutathione found in the erythrocytes of human. Material & Methods: Research was by nature experimental which was carried out in the Service Hospital, Lahore (Research Laboratory) in the month of September, 2017. Research sample comprised on the six volunteers who were in the age bracket of 21 – 24 years. Fresh samples of blood were drained from all the volunteers. Every participated was drained an equal amount of blood which measured exactly fifteen (15 ml). GSH of Erythrocyte’s was taken with various lithium carbonate concentrations. We also applied one-way ANOVA to observe statistical difference. Results: The erythrocytes GSH decrease was observed as low to high (31.68, 34.16, 37.02, 38.90, 40.91 & 43.01) percent for various lithium carbonate concentration. There was also a significant decrease in the level of GSH observed as lowest lithium carbonate concentration with a significant p-value of (< 0.005) a GSH decreased was observed about 31.68% and we also further observed as the time passed in the depletion of the lithium toxicity, erythrocytes GSH is dependent on the time and dose hence an in-time measures for lithium detoxification which guarantee the safety of the patient. Conclusion: No doubt lithium is widely used to stabilize the mood as well as to treat manic de­pressive psychosis; on the same time, it is to be kept in the mind by the experts in the erythrocytes GSH depletion so precautions are mandatory in the course of lithium therapy. Key Words: Lithium Carbonate; Erythrocytes; Mood stabilizing agent and Therapeutic