Open AccessAcceleration of bone regeneration by activating Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway via lithium released from lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement in osteoporosis
Author(s) -
Li Li,
Xiaozhong Peng,
Yong-Bao Qin,
Renchong Wang,
Jun Tang,
Xu Cui,
Ting Wang,
Wenlong Liu,
Haobo Pan,
Bing Li
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep45204
Subject(s) - bone healing , calcium , chemistry , lithium (medication) , regeneration (biology) , osseointegration , osteoporosis , biomedical engineering , wnt signaling pathway , simulated body fluid , materials science , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , anatomy , apatite , signal transduction , surgery , medicine , implant , mineralogy , biology , organic chemistry
By virtue of its excellent bioactivity and osteoconductivity, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) has been applied extensively in bone engineering. Doping a trace element into CPC can change physical characteristics and enhance osteogenesis. The trace element lithium has been demonstrated to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. We investigated the fracture-healing effect of osteoporotic defects with lithium-doped calcium phosphate cement (Li/CPC) and the underlying mechanism. Li/CPC bodies immersed in simulated body fluid converted gradually to hydroxyapatite. Li/CPC extracts stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts upon release of lithium ions (Li + ) at 25.35 ± 0.12 to 50.74 ± 0.13 mg/l through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in vitro . We also examined the effect of locally administered Li + on defects in rat tibia between CPC and Li/CPC in vivo . Micro-computed tomography and histological staining showed that Li/CPC had better osteogenesis by increasing bone mass and promoting repair in defects compared with CPC (P < 0.05). Li/CPC also showed better osteoconductivity and osseointegration. These findings suggest that local release of Li + from Li/CPC may accelerate bone regeneration from injury through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in osteoporosis.