Effect of Lithium on Neutrophil Mass and Production

Abstract

We measured the effect of lithium on the blood neutrophil mass and neutrophil production, using standard di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DF32P) methods. In 12 lithium-treated patients the total blood neutrophil pool was 105 (42 to 270) x 10(7) cells per kilogram (median and 95 per cent limits) as compared with 61 (27 to 138 x 10(7) in 71 controls (P less than 0.001). The neutrophil turnover rate, a measure of effective neutrophil production, was 230 (108 to 380) x 10(7) cells per kilogram per day in the lithium-treated group and 160 (62 to 400) x 10(7) in the controls (P less than 0.05). Neutrophil migration into skin lesions ranged from 34 to 469 x 10(5) cells per day in the lithium-treated patients, as compared with 1.7 to 68 x 10(5) in 10 controls. Lithium causes enlargement of the total circulating neutrophil mass and accelerates neutrophil production without impairing neutrophil migration into skin lesions.

Therapeutic Experience with Lithium in Childhood Aggressivity

“…27], The growth, and the calcium, minerals and water metabolism of the patients were regularly checked, be cause certain authors had observed growth retardation, decreasing calcium content in the bones and various changes of the Na, Ca, K. P and Mg level in the serum [ 1,34], The weight of the patients was also regularly checked as some authors [6,34], presuming an insulin-like effect of lithium, think that it has a marked weight-increasing activity. As several authors described a relative leukocy tosis (neutrophilia) [26], the hematologic values were reg ularly checked, too. As, according to the literature, most of the side effects due to chronic administration of lith ium affected the kidneys, prior to starting each treatment, the state and function of the kidneys were examined.…”

Modifications in the Phagocytosis of Human Neutrophils Induced by Vinblastine and Cytochalasin B: The Effects of Lithium

“…Although the drug does not usually bring about any significant modification in most of the functions of neutrophil granulocytes [1,2], evi dence has been given in some cases that it inhibits the adherence of neutrophils to nylon wool fibres [3] as well as their bactericidal activity [4], There have also been descriptions of a non-significant increase in phagocytosis [1] and an increase in the migration of neutrophil granulocytes to inflammation sites [5].…”

Lithium in Haematology: A Case of Acute Intoxication

“…Subse quently, severe lithium poisoning, some times leading to death, occurred [2,3], When lithium was recommended for seda tion of psychotic excitement, its toxicity was recognized but minimized [4], and in 1950, the first death caused by lithium salts in psychiatry was reported by Roberts [5]. From 1949 to 1975, more than 100 cases of lithium intoxication were reported [6], al though psychiatrists follow strict therapeutic principles [3], Since 1975, lithium has been utilized in the treatment of granulocytopenic conditions, including Felty's syndrome, acute leukemia, granulocytopenia induced by cancer therapy and in the treatment of aplastic anemia [7], Since no case of severe toxicity had been reported Stein et al [8] considered lithium to have limited toxicity; only Rothstein et al mentioned that, be cause of its adverse effects, lithium should not yet be accepted as a hematopoietic agent [9].…”