Conclusions
Lithium reduces OIRR through the suppression of periodontal ligament cell death, hyalinization, and odontoclast formation.
Methods
The maxillary first molars of 10-week-old male Wistar rats were moved mesially by a closed-coil spring for 14 days. Lithium chloride (LiCl; 0.64 mM/kg) or saline (control) was administered intraperitoneally daily. Tooth movements were measured using micro-computed tomography. Appearances of cell death, hyalinization, and odontoclasts were evaluated by histological analysis.
Results
OIRR observed on day 14 in the control group was suppressed strongly by LiCl administration. Apoptotic cells observed on day 1 in the compression area were gradually diminished on days 2 and 3 and transformed to hyalinization tissue in the control group. LiCl administration remarkably suppressed this cell death and subsequent hyalinization. Also, the appearance of odontoclasts in the compression area observed on day 7 was significantly suppressed by LiCl administration. Accordingly, these degenerative processes to OIRR were suppressed substantially by LiCl treatment. Conclusions: Lithium reduces OIRR through the suppression of periodontal ligament cell death, hyalinization, and odontoclast formation.