title: Lithium Chloride Modulates Adipogenesis and Osteogenesis of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lithium chloride (LiCl) has long been used as a psychiatric medication; however, its role in the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remains largely unknown. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of LiCl on the differentiation of BMSCs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The roles of LiCl in osteogenic and adipogenic processes were observed using alizarin red staining and oil red O staining, respectively. The effects of LiCl on the Wnt and Hedgehog (Hh) pathways were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data showed that LiCl effectively promoted osteogenesis and inhibited adipogenesis by simultaneously affecting the Wnt and Hh pathways.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that LiCl influences the differentiation of BMSCs directly through the Wnt and Hh pathways and thus may be a candidate drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.
authors: Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors: Linjun
authors: L
authors: Tang
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Chen
authors: Fuxing
authors: F
authors: Pei
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018021:Lithium Chloride