Effect of lithium salts on functional activity and expression of P-glycoprotein in human lymphocytes in vitro

The effect of pharmacological and toxic concentrations of lithium salts (sulfate and chloride) on the expression and functional activity of the transporter protein P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in human lymphocytes in vitro was studied. It was found that in lymphocytes exposed to both lithium chloride and sulfate in the concentration range from 3 to 10 mM, inhibition of the functional activity of the membrane transporter P-gp occurs, and this effect depended on both the specific type of salt and its exposure concentration. A multidirectional effect on P-gp expression was found (an increase when cells were exposed to 10 mM lithium sulfate and no changes at the same concentration of lithium chloride), indicating the possible involvement of specific signaling pathways that are activated or inhibited depending on the anion, and not just the lithium cation. The results obtained are planned to be used in the future to create a method for assessing lithium toxicity for monitoring lithium concentrations in the blood.