CIRCULATING T-CELL SUBPOPULATIONS IN LITHIUM-ASSOCIATED GRANULOCYTOSIS

AbstractGranulocytosis is a common feature in patients undergoing lithium therapy. With increasing evidence that T lymphocytes play a role in the control of granulopoiesis, we have investigated the effect of lithium administration on circulating levels of T helper and T suppressor cells, as identified by monoclonal antibodies, to determine whether lithium-induced granulocytosis is mediated through changes in peripheral blood T cell subsets. Lithium carbonate was administered to 10 subjects over a 2 week period. Differential leucocyte counts and T, B, T helper and T suppressor lymphocyte enumerations were performed prior to administration of lithium (Day 1) and on 2 occasions (Day 7 and 14) during ingestion of the drug. Ten healthy control subjects were similarly investigated. Small, but significant elevations (p<0.05) in neutrophil counts at 7 and 14 days were observed in subjects taking lithium, serum lithium levels at these times were 0.56 ± 0.27 and 0.68 ± 0.17 mmol/l, respectively; lymphocyte and mono...