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

Lithium 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, eight healthy volunteers were studied by means of a panel of quantitative and cellular function tests before and after a seven-day course of lithium carbonate. Granulocyte, lymphocyte, and platelet function was assessed by the test panel. This panel included T cell and B cell enumeration, lymphocyte transformation to a number of mitogens and antigens, phagocytic and bactericidal activities of peripheral leukocytes, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction, chemotaxis, chemiliminescence, platelet aggregation studies, and Ivy bleeding time. The was a significant reduction in bactericidal capacity (p less than 0.005) and a significant reduction in lymphocyte response to PPD (p less than 0.01). Although lithium increase the granulocyte count, 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.