Rapid determination of lithium in serum samples by capillary electrophoresis

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2010 Apr;396(7):2543-6. doi: 10.1007/s00216-010-3537-7. Epub 2010 Feb 24.

Abstract

Lithium salts are still one of the most popular therapeutic approaches to the treatment of bipolar disorders, notwithstanding the introduction of more modern, less toxic drugs. Because of a narrow therapeutic range, lithium serum concentrations must be strictly monitored during the treatment to avoid life-threatening neurotoxicity. For this purpose, methods based on flame photometry or ion-selective electrodes are usually applied. The aim of the present work was to develop and validate a simple method for the determination of lithium in serum based on capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect detection. A validation of the method was carried out, including a comparison with an automated routine method based on ion-selective electrodes.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Blood Chemical Analysis / methods*
  • Drug Monitoring / methods*
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods*
  • Humans
  • Lithium Compounds / blood*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds