Evidence that lithium induces human granulocyte proliferation: elevated serum vitamin B 12 binding capacity in vivo and granulocyte colony proliferation in vitro.

Abstract

Summary. Concentrations of lithium similar to those present in the blood of patients receiving lithium carbonate therapy for manic‐depressive psychosis cause leucocytosis in vivo and proliferation of human granulocyte colonies in vitro. These findings, plus the finding of elevated unsaturated vitamin B12 binding capacity in patients with granulocytosis induced by lithium carbonate, suggests that such therapy produces a true increase in the body granulocyte pool. The possible value of lithium therapy in neutropenic states in man requires exploration.