Effects of lithium on rat parotid and submandibulary gland functions.

1. Pure submandibular and parotid saliva were collected intraorally by micro polyethylene canula from anesthetized lithium treated and control rats using pilocarpine as secretagogue. 2. Acute intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of lithium chloride (10 mg/kg), caused a significant decrease in protein, calcium, potassium and sodium concentrations of parotid saliva and also a significant decrease in protein, potassium and calcium concentrations of submandibular saliva. 3. Chronic treatment of rats for 10 days by LiCl solution (1200 mg/l) also caused some marked changes in saliva compositions similar to those observed in acute experiment. 4. The results of this study suggest that lithium as a drug used in the treatment of affective disorders can influence the secretory mechanisms of both submandibular and parotid glands. 5. These effects of lithium in composition of parotid and submandibular saliva are not related to duration of treatment.