Lithium protects cartilage from cytokine-mediated degradation by reducing collagen-degrading MMP production via inhibition of the P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

Abstract

This study demonstrates for the first time that LiCl can protect against cartilage damage induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, and indicates that LiCl-mediated cartilage protection is not via a GSK-3-dependent mechanism, but potentially via inhibition of the p38 pathway. These data indicate that lithium administration may represent a potential therapy for arthritis.