Lithium ascorbate as a protector of human blood biomolecules under ethanol impact

Abstract

Background: Alcoholism is an acute social problem worldwide for negative impact on health. This problem is closely associated with social stress and drinking traditions. Previously, it was established exhaustion of blood antioxidant in alcoholism patients. It requires development and investigation of substances with protective properties under ethanol impact, on both cells and biomolecules. Aims and Objectives: Lithium salts are widely used in medicine as mood stabilizers for mental pathologies, including alcoholism. In this work, we investigate lithium ascorbate for the protection of human blood plasma lipids and proteins under ethanol impact. Materials and Methods: Well-known antioxidants - carnosine and ascorbic acid - were used as reference drugs. Heparinized venous blood was used as an experimental substrate. The ethanol and tested substances in the form of water (physiological)solutions were added to blood in vitro. Protection effects were measured and estimated as concentrations of carbonyls proteins and products of lipid peroxidation in blood plasma. Results: It was shown similar protective action of lithium ascorbate and carnosine on human plasma biomolecules against damaging action of ethanol. No protective effect revealed for ascorbic acid. Conclusion: Lithium ascorbate and carnosine were proved to possess the protection effects for blood lipids and proteins under ethanol impact. Normothymic and bloodprotective properties are desirable for psychotropic drugs, and thus, lithium salts could be considered as prospective agents in the treatment of addictions and other pathologies associated with oxidative stress.