ObjectivesTo elucidate the molecular effects of lithium, we studied global gene expression changes induced by lithium in leukocytes from healthy subjects.
MethodsEight healthy male subjects participated in this study. Lithium was prescribed for weeks to reach a therapeutic serum concentration. Leukocyte counts and serum lithium concentrations were determined at baseline (before medication), after 1 and 2weeks of medication and at 2weeks after stopping medication. Gene expression profiling was performed at each time point using Agilent G4112F Whole Human Genome arrays (The Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA). Expression of some candidate genes was also assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
ResultsGene ontology analysis revealed that the cellular and immune responses to stimulus and stress indeed played a major role in the cellular response to lithium treatment. Pathway analysis revealed that the interleukin 6 pathway, the inhibitor of differentiation pathway, and the methane metabolism pathway were regulated by lithium. Using real-time PCR, we also confirmed that five candidate genes in these pathways were significantly changed, including suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 and myeloperoxidase.
ConclusionsOur investigation suggests that the molecular action of lithium is mediated in part by its effects on the cellular and immune response to stimulus and stress followed by the interleukin 6, inhibitor of differentiation, and methane metabolism pathways. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.