Lithium rescues cultured rat metatarsals from dexamethasone-induced growth failure

Background Glucocorticoids are commonly used in children with different chronic diseases. Growth failure represents a so far untreatable undesired side-effect. As lithium chloride (LiCl) is known to induce cell renewal in various tissues, we hypothesized that LiCl may prevent glucocorticoid-induced growth failure. Methods We monitored growth of fetal rat metatarsals cultured ex-vivo with dexamethasone and/or LiCl, while molecular mechanisms were explored through RNA sequencing by implementing the differential gene expression and gene set analysis. Quantification of beta-catenin in human growth plate cartilage cultured with dexamethasone and/or LiCl was added for verification. Results After 14 days of culture, the length of dexamethasone-treated fetal rat metatarsals increased by 1.4 +/- 0.2 mm compared to 2.4 +/- 0.3 mm in control bones (p < 0.001). The combination of LiCl and dexamethasone led to bone length increase of 1.9 +/- 0.3 mm (p < 0.001 vs. dexamethasone alone). By adding lithium, genes for cell cycle and Wnt/beta-catenin, Hedgehog and Notch signaling, were upregulated compared to dexamethasone alone group. Conclusions LiCl has the potential to partially rescue from dexamethasone-induced bone growth impairment in an ex vivo model. Transcriptomics identified cell renewal and proliferation as candidates for the underlying mechanisms. Our observations may open up the development of a new treatment strategy for bone growth disorders. Impact LiCl is capable to prevent glucocorticoid-induced growth failure in rat metatarsals in vitro. The accompanying drug-induced transcriptomic changes suggested cell renewal and proliferation as candidate underlying mechanisms. Wnt/beta-catenin pathway could be one of those novel mechanisms.