Diuretic Action of Lithium Carbonate in Rats

Abstract

Water consumption and diuresis increased several-fold in rats chronically fed on a diet containing 0.2 % or 0.1 % lithium carbonate. Simultaneous hypometabolism produced by methylthiouracil feeding diminished polydipsia and polyuria. In acute experiments, polyuria decreased after the administration of high doses of vasopressin (2.5 U arginine vasopressin). The repeated administration of 2.5 U Pitressin tannate twice daily in these rats decreased polydipsia. In self-selection experiments, lithium carbonate – fed polyuric rats drank more 2 % NaCl solution than the controls.