Rubidium Chloride - Uses

Uses

• Rubidium chloride has been shown to modify coupling between circadian oscillators via reduced photaic input to the suprachiasmatic nuclei. The outcome is a more equalized circadian rhythm, even for stressed organisms.
• Infusing tumor cells with rubidium chloride increases their pH. Some researchers believe that this increase prohibits the activation of enzymes such as oncogenic phosphatases and that would usually increase the cells’ malignant potential.
• RbCl is an excellent non-invasive biomarker. The compound dissolves well in water and readily be taken up by organisms. Once broken in the body, Rb+ replaces K+ in tissues because they are from the same chemical group. An example of this is the use of a radioactive isotope to evaluate perfusion of heart muscle.
• RbCl transformation for competent cells is arguably the compound’s most abundant use. Cells treated with a hypotonic solution containing RbCl expand. As a result, the expulsion of membrane proteins allows negatively charged DNA to bind.
• RbCl has been used as an antidepressant in Europe under the trade name Rubinorm in doses ranging from 180 to 720 mg. It increases dopamine and norepinephrine levels and has stimulating effects, hence it is useful for anergic and apathetic depressives.