EFFECTS OF LITHIUM DEFICIENCY IN SOME INSULIN-SENSITIVE TISSUES OF DIABETIC CHINESE-HAMSTERS

In this work, we report the effect of low-dose Lithium carbonate on bl ood glucose levels and tissue lithium content in hereditary spontaneou s diabetic Chinese hamsters (HSDCHs). Hepatic lithium levels are signi ficantly lower in diabetic hamsters when compared to healthy controls: 2.05 +/- 0.26 and 3.04 +/- 0.11 mu g/g, respectively. The same trend was observed in kidney and muscle: 18.26 +/- 0.24 vs 20.23 +/- 1.10 mu g/g and 4.66 +/- 0.17 vs 5.95 +/- 0.67 mu g/g, respectively. The sign ificance level was p < 0.05 in all cases. Supplementation with lithium carbonate eliminated tissue lithium deficiency, and had a normalizing effect on blood glucose and glycosylated serum protein levels. The in sulin sensitivity index (ISI) increased, thus reducing insulin resista nce. Our results suggest that lithium deficiency in certain insulin-se nsitive tissues may be associated with blood glucose imbalance resulti ng from insulin resistance.