Reduced inositol content in lymphocyte-derived cell lines from bipolar patients

Objectives: The study aimed to determine whether low inositol content and, uptake previously reported in brain and peripheral tissue of bipolar patients are also reflected in lymphocyte-derived cell lines from these patients. Methods: Inositol content and uptake were studied in lymphocyte-derived cell lines grown in vitro for at least five generations to eliminate influences of drug treatment. Inositol content was studied gas chromatographically and inositol uptake by following H-3-inositol incorporation at various concentrations. Results: Inositol levels of cell lines derived from bipolar patients were significantly lower than those of cell lines from controls. Conclusions: Low inositol content in lymphocyte-derived cell lines from bipolar patients corroborates previous findings in frontal cortex and in lymphoblastoid cell lines and are consistent with the notion that the phosphatidylinositol signaling system is involved in the pathophysiology of this disorder.