Abstract

Lithium remains a mainstay in the acute and prophylactic treatment of bipolar affective disorder. It is used in the augmentation of antidepressant treatment and, less frequently, in the augmentation of antipsychotic treatment of schizophrenia. It is reported to have specific anti-suicidal effects. Systematic reviews by the Cochrane collaboration and others have examined the evidence base or its use in these contexts. Thus it is interesting to study the effect of Lithium on the Glutathione. The effect of Lithium on the chemical status of the glutathione in plasma has been studied using Ellman’s method. The effect of Lithium on the chemical status of glutathione was determined in plasma for concentration and time dependent effects. There was found a drastic effect on decreasing the concentration of glutathione in plasma as the concentration is increased and time has passed. The decrease in the Glutathione level was concentration and time of interaction dependent, probably due to oxidation of GSH to corresponding disulphide (GSSG).In this paper the effect of Lithium metal on thiol /GSH level was discussed in vitro, which in principal may present a model of in vivo reaction.