Variation of Lithium Contents in Scalp Hair Samples of Different Male Psychiatric Patients Before and After Treatment with its Pharmaceutical Supplements

Abstract

The biological, medical and environmental roles of lithium (Li) have attracted considerable attention over last many decades, especially as medications for treating bipolar disorder. The aim of this follow up study was to compare the Li concentration in scalp hair samples of male psychiatric patients (schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder), before and after treatment with Li therapy for different time intervals (six and twelve months). For comparative purpose, the scalp hair samples were also collected from healthy male subjects of same socioeconomic and age group. The scalp hair samples were oxidized by 65% HNO 3 : 30% H 2 O 2 (2:1) in microwave oven. The digested scalp hair samples were analyzed for Li by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The resulted data indicated that the contents of Li in scalp hair samples of different types of psychiatric patients (schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder) were 46.0-55.7% lower as compared to healthy individuals (p<0.001). It was observed that the Li concentration in scalp hair were enhanced 22-27% and 40-49% psychiatric disorder patients after six and twelve month's treatment with Li supplementation, respectively. It was concluded that pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders has been associated with changes in the balance of Li concentration in human subjects.

Ion Beam, Synchrotron Radiation, and Related Techniques in Biomedicine: Elemental Profiling of Hair

“…This is not surprising as it is known that elemental dyshomeostasis triggers the formation of free radicals that may in turn affect neurotransmitter activity that plays an important role in psychiatric disorders [83]. However, treatment may also affect elemental levels in psychiatric patients, emphasizing the importance of assessing elemental levels before and after treatment [84].…”