Makoukji J et al. Lithium enhances remyelination Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Feb 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) inhibitors, especially the mood stabilizer lithium chloride (LiCl). We studied the influence of LiCl on the remyelination of peripheral nerves. We showed that the treatment of adult mice with LiCl after facial nerve crush injury stimulated the expression of myelin genes, restored the myelin structure, and accelerated the recovery of whisker movements. LiCl treatment also promoted remyelination of the sciatic nerve after crush. We also demonstrated that peripheral myelin gene activities, transcripts, and protein levels are stimulated by GSK3β inhibitors (LiCl and SB216763) in Schwann cells (the oligodendrocytes of the peripheral nerve that make myelin) as well as in sciatic and facial nerves. LiCl exerts its action in Schwann cells by increasing the amount of β-catenin and provoking its nuclear localization. We showed by ChIP experiments that LiCl treatment drives β-catenin to bind to T-cell factor/lymphoid-enhancer factor response elements identified in myelin genes. Taken together, our findings open perspectives in the treatment of nerve demyelination by administering GSK3β inhibitors such as lithium.
It remains to be shown whether Lithium has any reparative effect on central nervous system myelin but there is experimental evidence that GSK3beta also controls oligodendrocyte function furthermore lithium may have some immunomodulatory capacity
CoI: None
Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) inhibitors, especially the mood stabilizer lithium chloride (LiCl). We studied the influence of LiCl on the remyelination of peripheral nerves. We showed that the treatment of adult mice with LiCl after facial nerve crush injury stimulated the expression of myelin genes, restored the myelin structure, and accelerated the recovery of whisker movements. LiCl treatment also promoted remyelination of the sciatic nerve after crush. We also demonstrated that peripheral myelin gene activities, transcripts, and protein levels are stimulated by GSK3β inhibitors (LiCl and SB216763) in Schwann cells (the oligodendrocytes of the peripheral nerve that make myelin) as well as in sciatic and facial nerves. LiCl exerts its action in Schwann cells by increasing the amount of β-catenin and provoking its nuclear localization. We showed by ChIP experiments that LiCl treatment drives β-catenin to bind to T-cell factor/lymphoid-enhancer factor response elements identified in myelin genes. Taken together, our findings open perspectives in the treatment of nerve demyelination by administering GSK3β inhibitors such as lithium.
It remains to be shown whether Lithium has any reparative effect on central nervous system myelin but there is experimental evidence that GSK3beta also controls oligodendrocyte function furthermore lithium may have some immunomodulatory capacity
Treatment was started (arrow up) and stopped (arrow down). Clinical disease ranges from limp tail (score 1) to being paralysed (score 3)
Another good one Mouse
ReplyDeleteDr. Terry Wahls took 300 mg of lithium orotate twice daily and she did have a remarkable recovery.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2769364/
I understand that orotate is sold OTC (supplement) but am not quite sure about side effects and potential interaction with Tysabri...
Tony
I want to know what VV has to say on the subject.
ReplyDeleteLithium carbonate and lithium citrate have been approved by the FDA, so the side-effects of these forms of lithium are known. However, not much is known about the potential side-effects of lithium orate:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1065-LITHIUM.aspx?activeIngredientId=1065&activeIngredientName=LITHIUM
I find it troubling that it's available OTC as a supplement. People prescribed the traditional forms of lithium are closely monitored and their blood needs to be tested for lithium ion levels. Apparently, you can't just casually take lithium orotate without consequence:
http://jmt.pennpress.org/strands/jmt/pdfHandler.pdf;jsessionid=3D53EFBD5B82E1EAE6637FEB20AC1F72?issue=20070302&file=20070302_061_062.pdf
Re Lithium Orotate - whether it is sold OTC depends on which country you live. Clearly, the US is one of those countries.
ReplyDeleteA brief literature search shows that lithium has been trialled on EAS mouse versions previously with results worth investigating.
Re: "I find it troubling that it's available OTC as a supplement. People prescribed the traditional forms of lithium are closely monitored and their blood needs to be tested for lithium ion levels. Apparently, you can't just casually take lithium orotate without consequence."
ReplyDeleteI agree; this is troubling. Please don't start taking Lithium. This would be feeding the "Bad Science" machine. This animal data is interesting and needs to be taken further; possibly into clinical trials. Only once clinical trials have shown us that Lithium is effective and the adverse events reasonable should the drug be used.
This blog is a "science blog" and respects the boundaries of scientific evidence.