Lithium chloride treatment of neural diseases, such as manic-depressive disorder, causes impairment of anti-oxidative defense. It induces opposite effects on nitric oxide-related systems. Antioxidant supplementation (Ascorbic acid) with Li Cl could have a therapeutic effect in unstable patients. The present study investigates the modulation of NO-producing cells in the rat brain, due to Li Cl administration to experimental animals. We report here the potential that Vitamin C administration along with Li Cl has in counteracting anti-oxidative stress. In control animals and in animals injected with low dose Li Cl together with Vitamin C, there were large numbers of NO-producing neurons. This number significantly decreased in animals treated only with the low dose of Li Cl and those injected with the high dose of Li Cl together with vitamin C. Moreover, the smallest number of NO-producing cells appeared in animals treated with high dose Li Cl only. Therefore, we suggest that Vitamin C reduces Li Cl noxious effects (reduction of NO levels) and recommend administering it together with mood stabilizing drugs.
Key words: Psychiatric disorders, Lithium Chloride, Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Nitric Oxide
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