THE EFFECT OF LITHIUM TREATMENT ON ERYTHROCYTE MEMBRANE ATPase ACTIVITIES AND ERYTHROCYTE ION CONTENT

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Abstract
1 ATPase activities were studied in erythrocyte membranes prepared from blood of patients suffering from affective disorders. 2 Long-term (9–12 months) administration of lithium led to an increase in the erythrocyte membrane Na/K ATPase activity (54%) when studied on an age and sex matched basis or when the patients were studied before and after treatment. The Mg ATPase activity was also increased (38%) but there was no consistent effect of lithium treatment on Ca stimulated ATPase activity in the membranes. It is suggested that the effect of lithium treatment on Na/K ATPase was due to recovery of the patients rather than an effect of the drug. 3 MgATPase activity increased regardless of clinical condition. Short-term lithium treatment (2–4 weeks) led to increased Mg ATPase activity (43%). These results suggest that lithium treatment itself causes an increase in Mg ATPase activity and that this effect is not dependent on changes in protein synthesis. 4 Lithium treatment (long-term) increased the erythrocyte sodium content by 15%. No effect on plasma sodium, magnesium, potassium or erythrocyte magnesium and potassium was observed.