Effect of lithium ions on steroidogenesis and ERK protein kinase expression level in tissue of the adrenal cortex

Abstract

It is known that lithium preparations are used in the treatment of mental disorders. However, the ion effects that are associated with the processes of synthesis of  steroid hormones in the adrenal cortex are not studied enough. Aim. To study the effect of different concentrations of lithium chloride on the content of 11- Hydroxycorticosteroids (11-OHCS), and ERK1/2 expression level of total form in tissue of the adrenal glands in vitro. Materials and methods. Postoperative  adrenocortical tissue and tissue of the adrenal glands of guinea pigs were used in experiments in vitro. The quantitative determination of 11-OHCS level was  conducted by fluorometric micromethod. The ERK1/2 expression level was studied by Western blot analysis. Results. It was shown that incubation of extratumoral  tissue sections of human adrenal glands with lithium chloride leads to the increased level of 11-OHCS in the culture medium and ERK1/2 expression level  in tissue of the guinea pig adrenal glands. Conclusion. Stimulation of the corticosteroid synthesis under lithium chloride effect in adrenocortical tissue  can be mediated by ERK1/2 in vitro.