Effects of lithium on the activities of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase and on glucose-1,6-diphosphate levels in rat muscles, brain and liver.

Incubation of rat diaphragm muscle in the presence of lithium chloride (a drug used widely in the therapy of patients with mental illness), resulted in a sharp decrease in the level of glucose-1,6-diphosphate (Glc-1,6-P2), the powerful regulator of carbohydrate metabolism. This decrease in Glc-1,6-P2, the most potent activator of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, was accompanied by a marked reduction in the activities of both enzymes, when assayed in the absence of exogenous Glc-1,6-P2 under conditions in which these enzymes are sensitive to regulation by endogenous Glc-1,6-P2. A decrease in Glc-1,6-P2 and the concomitant reduction in the activities of phosphofructokinase and phosphoglucomutase, were also obtained in the rat gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, as well as in brain, following Li+ injection. In contrast to its effects in muscles and brain, Li+ did not exert any effect on Glc-1,6-P2 level and on the enzymes' activities in the liver. The marked inhibition of brain and muscles phosphofructokinase (the rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis) induced by Li+, may play an important role in the mechanism of the therapeutic action of this agent in the manic state.