POSSIBLE INTERACTION BETWEEN SOME ALKALI METALS AND SYMPATHOLYTIC DRUGS

Abstract

Lithium salts have gained wide spread use in the treatment of mono and bipolar affective disorders and its cellular mechanisms of action have been the subject of extensive research, both in relation to its therapeutic effects and many unwanted secondary effects. Among the later are variable effects on glucose tolerance.

In normal rats, lithium-induced hyperglycemia and inhibition of insulin secretion were reversibly blocked by pretreatment of rats with yohimbine or a combination of yohimbine and prop_ranolol.

Thus, the goal of the present study is to investigate the exact mechanism of lithium-induced hyperglycemia and inhibition of serum insulin level. Parallel studies with some other alkali metals (cesium and rubedium) which share some physicochemical characteristics with lithium will be done. The role of some alpha and beta adrenoceptor antagonists in modulating these effects will be studied.

In an attempt to achieve this goal, the following set of experiments will be conducted: - Studying the effects of the alkali metals and the adrenoceptor antagonists either alone or in combination on serum glucose and insulin level in albino rats.

- Testing the effects of the alkali metals and the adrenoceptor antagonists. either alone or in combination on serum and brain contents of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, together with the effects on serum electrolyte levels (calcium and potassium).