The effect of lithium carbonate on lymphocyte, granulocyte, and platelet function

Abstract

Li affects an increase in granulocyte counts in humans and has been promoted in the treatment of granulocytopenia and as adjuvant cancer chemotherapy to reduce the incidence of bacterial infections. In this study, 8 healthy volunteers were studied by a panel of quantitative and cellular function tests before and after a 7-day course of Li2CO3. Granulocyte, lymphocyte and platelet function was assessed by the test panel. This panel included T [thymus-derived] cell and B [bone marrow-derived] cell enumeration, lymphocyte transformation to a number of mitogens and antigens, phagocytic and bactericidal activities of peripheral leukocytes, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction, chemotaxis, chemiluminescence, platelet aggregation studies and Ivy bleeding time. There was a significant reduction in bactericidal capacity (P < 0.005) and a significant reduction in lymphocyte response to PPD [purified protein derivative] (P < 0.01). Li increases the granulocyte count, but the reduction in bactericidal capacity of granulocytes may reduce the beneficial effect of the granulocytosis. Prospective clinical studies are indicated to assess the clinical efficacy of the drug.