SALIVA AND SERUM LITHIUM MONITORING IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS AND POSSIBILITY TO REPLEACE SERUM TO SALIVA Introduction
Th e lithium ions concentration in human serum and saliva was determinated using dry-slide technology Vitros Analyser (Ortho Clinical Diagnostic) and atomic absorption spectrometry Perkin Elmer (AAS). We analyzed lithium ions in serum and saliva specimens of patients after oral administration of lithium carbonate (x mg) Jadran, Galen Laboratory Rijeka. Saliva and blood were taken and hours after the last dose. At the same time lithium ions at samples of blood and saliva were determined with bouth methods which showed high level of correlation. Th e mean diff erence of lithium ions between saliva and serum was statistically signifi cant for p<, using t student test. At saliva we got constant of elimination Kel = ,-h and elimination half life (t/) was t/=, h. For serum was t/= h what means that lithium ions elimination is slower from saliva then from serum. Th at is the reason why probably concentration at saliva is higer then at serum. Lithium elimination is two compartment pharmacokinetic model where important part of compartment are saliva and salivary glands. At a certain point in medical treatment it could be expected to use controlled determination of lithium ions in saliva with serum as control.