Studies on the Trace Elements in the Field of Balneology

Lithium

Abstract

1) On the analysis of thermal waters and a sea water with Spectraspan plasma emission spectrophotometer.
The detection limits for various elements were examined and the elements detected in the samples from the thermal waters in San-in district and the sea water from Japan Sea were listed. Among the elements showing strong spectral lines, B, Li and Na were quantitatively determined. Lithium concentrations (mg/1) in the several thermal waters were as follows: 5.2 (Yugakae) and 4.6 (Ikeda) in Shimane Prefecture; 1.5 (Misasa) and 1.3 (Tottori) in Tottori Prefecture.
2) On the percutaneous absorption and tissue distribution of Li after bathing in Li containing water.
Each mouse was fixed in a small cage according to the method of Masaji Seki, and the lower half of the body was immersed in the bath water containing 1000mg/1 of Li at 37°C for 30 minutes. After bathing, the mice were washed thoroughly with running water, then sacrificed to obtain blood, liver, brain and kidney. Lithium contents in these tissues were determined with Spectraspan. The percutaneous absorption of Li was inhibited with Na added to the Li containing bath water, and also with serial bathings for days in Li containing water. The Li contents in tissues showed higher values after oral administration of Li solution as compared with after bathing in Li solution. Larger amount of Li was excreted in the human urine after bathing in Li containing water than after control bathing. These experimental results indicate the percutaneous absorption of Li by bathing in Li containing water.