Effects of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Inhibitor on the Prevention of Oligodendrocyte Cell Death Induced by Cuprizone in Mouse Brain

Many environmental factors are involved in the death of oligodendrocyte cells, myelin tissue destruction, and disturbance in the central nervous system function. The protective role of lithium chloride as a Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3-β) inhibitor has been proven in some neurological diseases. In the present study, the effects of this compound were investigated in the prevention of oligodendrocytes death in mouse brains.

In the present study, 40 female C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 grams were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham, cuprizone, and lithium chloride/cuprizone. Lithium chloride compound was used intra peritoneally daily. At the end of the study, in order to check the results, immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR were used.

The results of immunohistochemistry staining showed that the percentage of cells that expressed Oligodendrocyte transcription factor (Olig2) and Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (Mog) markers increased significantly in the group that received lithium compared to the groups that received cuprizone (P < 0.05). In addition, Real-Time PCR results showed that the use of lithium can increase the expression of oligodendrocytes- specific genes.

The results of the present study showed that lithium chloride has the ability to prevent the oligodendrocytes death, and therefore, the use of this compound can be a suitable solution for preventing and reducing the progression of diseases that destroy central nervous tissue.