Purpose: To evaluate the effects of lithium chloride on MSCs in vitro expansion rate. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, bone marrow from 8 rats was plated at 5×105- cells/cm2 in the presence of 1,2,5,7 and 10 mM Lithium chloride and expanded through 3 passages. Twelve days after initiatial culture, the cells of different groups were stained with crystal violet in order to compare the number and diameter of the colonies. Also the cells from different groups were compared in terms of the population doubling (PD) during the 1-3 passages. Different groups of growth curves were plotted for the third passage cells. At the end of cultivation period, the cells were examined wheatear they could differentiate into bone and adipose cells. Results: The Number and diameter of the colonies in primary cultures treated with 5mM lithium chloride were significantly higher than those of control and other groups (P<0.001). The cell population in the culture with 5 mM lithium chloride was doubled in average 12.02±0.04 times during 1-3 passages that was significantly higher than other groups. Compared to other groups, the cells from 5 mM group were reached platue in a short time (4.9 days) (P<0.001). Alizarin red staining for bone and oil red for adipose cells indicated that the cells in different studied groups preserved their differentiation potential. Conclusion: Finally, it seems that the presence of 5 mM litium chloride in the cultures of rat bone marrow cells enhances the MSC in vitro expansion rate while maintaining their bone and adipose differentiation potential.

Keywords: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Lithium Chloride, Proliferation, Population Doubling

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