Combined low-dose LiCl and LY294002 for the treatment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

BACKGROUND: To provide a low-toxicity and high-efficacy clinical treatment for osteoporosis via a novel combination of LiCl and LY294002. METHODS: The protein levels of p-AKT, AKT, p-GSK3β, GSK3β, β-catenin, p-β-catenin, and NFATC1 were measured in osteoblasts and osteoclasts by Western blot. ALP activity and TRACP activity were measured using the corresponding kit. The levels of BALP, PINP, CTX, and TRACP-5b were determined in accordance with the requirements of the ELISA kits. Microstructural analysis was performed on the left distal femur using microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: Treatment with the combination of LiCl and LY294002 led to a markedly increased osteoblast activity but significantly decreased osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption capacity compared with the treatment with LiCl or LY294002 alone (P < 0.01). In serum, the low-dose combination of LiCl and LY294002 significantly enhanced BALP levels (P < 0.01) and significantly decreased PINP, TRACP-5b, and CTX levels (P < 0.01) compared with the application of either drug alone. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that drug combinations directed at multiple targets could be used for osteoporosis treatment by promoting osteoblast proliferation and inhibiting differentiation with high efficiency.