LITHIUM TREATMENT STRONGLY INHIBITS CHOLINE TRANSPORT IN HUMAN ERYTHROCYTES

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Abstract
1 The influx of [14C] -choline and the efflux of 22Na in human erythrocytes were measured in vitro using blood from patients treated with lithium, patients not on lithium and healthy individuals. 2 The administration of lithium to patients significantly reduces the transport of choline; during the first 6 weeks of treatment the influx of choline is about half the normal rate, later it falls to around 10%. 3 This inhibition of choline transport is not dependent on the presence of lithium in the incubation medium. 4 The active and passive efflux of sodium are apparently not affected by lithium treatment.