Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2228-5881 9 2 2019 06 01 Protective Effects of Pyruvic Acid Salt Against Lithium Toxicity and Oxidative Damage in Human Blood Mononuclear Cells 302 306 10.15171/apb.2019.035 EN Evgenii Plotnikov https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4374-6422 Innokenty Losenkov https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7458-2179 Elena Epimakhova https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9304-4496 Nikolay Bohan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1052-855X Journal Article 10.15171/apb.2019.035 2018 09 30 2019 04 14 Purpose: Aim of present work was to study cytoprotective properties of lithium pyruvate, as a prospective pharmacological agent. Pyruvate has a lot of potential benefits due to positive influence on cell metabolism. Lithium is "gold-standard" mood-stabilizer. Combination of both may lead advantages. Methods: Lithium pyruvate was tested as cytoprotector on human blood mononuclears under induced oxidative stress. Cells were obtained from healthy donors and patients with alcoholism. The detection of cell viability, apoptosis and determination of oxidative stress level were conducted by flow cytometry. Results: Lithium pyruvate showed excellent cytoprotective properties in normal and oxidation conditions. This effect was independent from cell donor health status. It was shown on cells from healthy donors and alcoholics patients. Conclusion: Obtained results allow considering lithium pyruvate as potential normothymic agents (mood stabilizer) with excellent cytoprotective properties.