Relationship between the chronic treatment with lithium and the role of cholinergic system in neuroinflammation.

Author(s)

Natália Mendes Schöwe

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2013-11-05

Examining board members

Tânia Araújo Viel; Maria Christina Werneck de Avellar; Marcelo Nicolas Muscara

• Advisor: Tânia Araújo Viel

Abstract

It is known that the cholinergic system, via a7 nicotinic receptors, acts as attenuator of the inflammatory process. Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar disorder and microdosing was beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer\'s disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic treatment with lithium microdoses for the formation of inflammatory mediators in the brain of young mice after intraperitoneal injection of LPS, and if a7 receptors were involved in this process. After seven months of treatment, animals treated with lithium-LPS presented spatial memory, while water-LPS animals did not. Eight days after the induction of acute inflammation levels of IL-6, TNF-a, IL-10 and pGSK-3b/GSK-3b were the same in all groups, indicating that the inflammatory process had been completed. Still, there was no difference with respect to the density of CAT and a7. It was not possible to confirm or exclude the anti-inflammatory effect of microdoses of lithium. So, the experimental design will be adjusted. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14636-9 - Relationship between chronic treatment with lithium and the role of cholinergic system in neuroinflammation
• Grantee: Natália Mendes Schowe
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master