Biphasic dose-dependent effect of lithium chloride on survival of human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells (MCF-7)

Lithium downregulates phosphorylated acetyl‑CoA carboxylase 2 and attenuates mitochondrial fatty acid utilization and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes

Acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 plays a crucial role in regulating mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in cardiomyocytes. Lithium, a monovalent cation known for its cardioprotective potential, has been investigated for its influence on mitochondrial bioenergetics. The present study explored whether lithium modulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes and the potential therapeutic applications of lithium in alleviating metabolic stress. Mitochondrial bioenergetic function, fatty acid oxidation, reactive oxygen species production, membrane potential and the expression of proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism in H9c2 cardiomyocytes treated with LiCl for 48 h was measured by using a Seahorse extracellular flux analyzer, fluorescence microscopy and western blotting. Small interfering RNA against glucose transporter type 4 was transfected into H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 48 h to induce metabolic stress mimicking insulin resistance. The results revealed that LiCl at a concentration of 0.3 mM (but not at a concentration of 0.1 or 1.0 mM) upregulated the expression of phosphorylated (p-)glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta and downregulated the expression of p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 but did not affect the expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase or calcineurin. Cotreatment with TWS119 (8 µM) and LiCl (0.3 mM) downregulated p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 expression to a similar extent as did treatment with TWS119 (8 µM) alone. Moreover, LiCl (0.3 mM) inhibited mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, improved coupling efficiency and the cellular respiratory control ratio, hindered reactive oxygen species production and proton leakage and restored mitochondrial membrane potential in glucose transporter type 4 knockdown-H9c2 cardiomyocytes. These findings suggested that low therapeutic levels of lithium can downregulate p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2, thus reducing mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes.

Lithium and hormesis: Enhancement of adaptive responses and biological performance via hormetic mechanisms

Biomedical and consumer interest in the health-promoting properties of pure single entities of known or unknown chemical constituents and mixtures has never been greater. Since its "rediscovery" in the 1950s, lithium is an example of such a constituent that represents an array of scientific and public health challenges and medical potentials that may now be understood best when seen through the lens of the dose-response paradigm known as hormesis. The present paper represents the first review of the capacity of lithium to induce hormetic dose responses in a broad range of biological models, organ systems, and endpoints. Of significance is that the numerous hormetic findings occur with extensive concentration/dose response evaluations with the optimal dosing being similar across multiple organ systems. The particular focus of these hormetic dose-response findings was targeted to research with a broad spectrum of stem cell types and neuroprotective effects. These findings suggest that lithium may have critically valuable systemic effects with respect to those therapeutically treated with lithium as well as for exposures that may be achieved via dietary intervention.

Lithium: A Promising Anticancer Agent

Lithium is a therapeutic cation used to treat bipolar disorders but also has some important features as an anti-cancer agent. In this review, we provide a general overview of lithium, from its transport into cells, to its innovative administration forms, and based on genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. Lithium formulations such as lithium acetoacetate (LiAcAc), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium citrate (Li3C6H5O7), and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) induce apoptosis, autophagy, and inhibition of tumor growth and also participate in the regulation of tumor proliferation, tumor invasion, and metastasis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, lithium is synergistic with standard cancer therapies, enhancing their anti-tumor effects. In addition, lithium has a neuroprotective role in cancer patients, by improving their quality of life. Interestingly, nano-sized lithium enhances its anti-tumor activities and protects vital organs from the damage caused by lipid peroxidation during tumor development. However, these potential therapeutic activities of lithium depend on various factors, such as the nature and aggressiveness of the tumor, the type of lithium salt, and its form of administration and dosage. Since lithium has been used to treat bipolar disorder, the current study provides an overview of its role in medicine and how this has changed. This review also highlights the importance of this repurposed drug, which appears to have therapeutic cancer potential, and underlines its molecular mechanisms.

Lithium in Cancer Therapy: Friend or Foe?

Lithium, a trace element important for fetal health and development, is considered a metal drug with a well-established clinical regime, economical production process, and a mature storage system. Several studies have shown that lithium affects tumor development by regulating inositol monophosphate (IMPase) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). Lithium can also promote proliferation and programmed cell death (PCD) in tumor cells through a number of new targets, such as the nuclear receptor NR4A1 and Hedgehog-Gli. Lithium may increase cancer treatment efficacy while reducing side effects, suggesting that it can be used as an adjunctive therapy. In this review, we summarize the effects of lithium on tumor progression and discuss the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we discuss lithium's limitations in antitumor clinical applications, including its narrow therapeutic window and potential pro-cancer effects on the tumor immune system.

Li-Doped Bioactive Ceramics: Promising Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Lithium (Li) is a metal with critical therapeutic properties ranging from the treatment of bipolar depression to antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral and pro-regenerative effects. This element can be incorporated into the structure of various biomaterials through the inclusion of Li chloride/carbonate into polymeric matrices or being doped in bioceramics. The biocompatibility and multifunctionality of Li-doped bioceramics present many opportunities for biomedical researchers and clinicians. Li-doped bioceramics (capable of immunomodulation) have been used extensively for bone and tooth regeneration, and they have great potential for cartilage/nerve regeneration, osteochondral repair, and wound healing. The synergistic effect of Li in combination with other anticancer drugs as well as the anticancer properties of Li underline the rationale that bioceramics doped with Li may be impactful in cancer treatments. The role of Li in autophagy may explain its impact in regenerative, antiviral, and anticancer research. The combination of Li-doped bioceramics with polymers can provide new biomaterials with suitable flexibility, especially as bio-ink used in 3D printing for clinical applications of tissue engineering. Such Li-doped biomaterials have significant clinical potential in the foreseeable future.

A comparative study of combination treatments in metastatic 4t1 cells: everolimus and 5- fluorouracil versus lithium chloride and 5-fluorouracil

Background: Combination therapy has been one of the most pioneering and strategic approaches implemented for malignancy treatment, which can intentionally influence multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer growth and progression. In the present study, the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in combination with everolimus (EVE) or lithium chloride (LiCl) were evaluated in 4T1 metastatic breast cancer cells and compared to control and each other.

Methods and results: The resazurin assay, CompuSyn, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR were used to investigate cell proliferation, drug synergism, apoptosis, and gene expression. In comparison to the ternary combination of the drugs, the findings showed that cytotoxicity (p-value < 0.0001) and apoptosis (p-value < 0.0001) of two-by-two combinations increased dramatically as a consequence of the extreme synergy between 5FU and EVE or LiCl. Moreover, the hypoxia­inducible transcription factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) downregulated considerably compared to control (p-value < 0.0001) by combination therapies of EVE-5FU and 5FU-LiCl; however, only VEGF displayed significant downregulation in comparison to single therapies.

Conclusion: The findings showed that the combination of 5FU-LiCl increased cell cytotoxicity and apoptosis significantly more than EVE-5FU but suggests a clinical potential for both to treat metastatic breast cancer encouraging validation of these results in pre-clinical models.

A Proposed TUSC7/miR-211/Nurr1 ceRNET Might Potentially be Disturbed by a cer-SNP rs2615499 in Breast Cancer

Evidence and in silico analyses showed that TUSC7, miR-211, and Nurr1 may be involved in BC pathogenesis by ceRNET signaling axis. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of TUSC7/miR-211/Nurr1 ceRNET and rs2615499 variant as a novel cer-SNP in BC subjects. The expression assays were conducted by qPCR on tumor tissues (n = 50), tumor-adjacent normal tissues (TANTs) (n = 50), and clinically healthy control tissues (n = 50). The expression of TUSC7 and Nurr1 significantly decreased, but the level of miR-211 significantly increased in tumor tissues compared to TANTs and healthy normal tissues. Altered expression of TUSC7 and miR-211 was associated with poor prognosis of patients. The Nurr1 exhibited a double-edged sword-like activity in BC. In addition, TUSC7, Nurr1, and miR-211 expressions were significantly related to a novel BC-associated rs2615499 (A > C) located in the miR-211 binding site on Nurr1 3'-UTR. In the second part of the study, a case-control study was performed on BC patients (n = 100) and matched healthy controls (n = 100). The genomic DNA was isolated and genotyping was performed using Tetra-Primer ARMS PCR. The CC and AC genotypes were associated with higher expression levels of Nurr1 and worse outcomes of the disease. Our findings revealed that TUSC7 functions as a tumor suppressor in BC potentially via miR-211/Nurr1, which might be disturbed by the cer-SNP rs2615499. However, functional studies are needed to validate these results.

The Psychiatric Drug Lithium Increases DNA Damage and Decreases Cell Survival in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines Expos ed to Ionizing Radiation

Background:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Radiation therapy is used for treating almost every stage of breast cancer. A strategy to reduce irradiation side effects and to decrease the recurrence of cancer is concurrent use of radiation and radiosensitizers. We studied the effect of the antimanic drug lithium on radiosensitivity of estrogen-receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative, invasive, and radioresistant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines.

Methods:

MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines were treated with 30 mM and 20 mM concentrations of lithium chloride (LiCl), respectively. These concentrations were determined by MTT viability assay. Growth curves were depicted and comet assay was performed for control and LiCl-treated cells after exposure to X-ray. Total and phosphorylated inactive levels of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β) protein were determined by ELISA assay for control and treated cells.

Results:

Treatment with LiCl decreased cell proliferation after exposure to X-ray as indicated by growth curves of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines within six days following radiation. Such treatment increased the amount of DNA damages represented by percent DNA in Tails of comets at 0, 1, 4, and even 24 hours after radiation in both studied cell lines. The amount of active GSK-3β was increased in LiCl-treated cells in ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cell lines.

Conclusion:

Treatment with LiCl that increased the active GSK-3β protein, increased DNA damages and decreased survival independent of estrogen receptor status in breast cancer cells exposed to ionizing radiation.

Lithium chloride attenuates mitomycin C induced necrotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via HMGB1 and Bax signaling

The clinical use of potent anticancer drug mitomycin C (MMC) has limited due to side effects and resistance of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lithium chloride (LiCl), as a mood stabilizer, can affect the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to mitomycin C. The cells were exposed to various concentrations of mitomycin C alone and combined with LiCl and the viability determined by trypan blue and MTT assays. Proteins were analyzed by western blot and mRNA expression of HMGB1 MMP9 and Bcl-2 were analyzed by RT-PCR. Flow cytometry was used to determine the cell cycle arrest and percent of apoptotic and necrotic cells. Concentration of Bax assessed by ELISA. Exposure of the cells to mitomycin C revealed IC₅₀ value of 20 μM, whereas pretreatment of the cells with LiCl induced synergistic cytotoxicity and IC₅₀ value declined to 5 μM. LiCl combined with mitomycin C significantly down-regulated HMGB1, MMP9 and Bcl-2 gene expression but significantly increased the level of Bax protein. In addition, the content of HMGB1 in the nuclei decreased and pretreatment with LiCl reduced the content of HMGB1 release induced by MMC. LiCl increased mitomycin C-induced cell shrinkage and PARP fragmentation suggesting induction of apoptosis in these cells. LiCl prevented mitomycin C-induced necrosis and changed the cell death arrest at G2/M-phase. Taking all together, it is suggested that LiCl efficiently enhances mitomycin C-induced apoptosis and HMGB1, Bax and Bcl-2 expression may play a major role in this process, the findings that provide a new therapeutic strategy for LiCl in combination with mitomycin C.

Impact of Preexisting Mental Illness on All-Cause and Breast Cancer-Specific Mortality in Elderly Patients With Breast Cancer

Purpose Limited data are available on the survival of patients with breast cancer with preexisting mental illness, and elderly women are of special interest because they experience the highest incidence of breast cancer. Therefore, we compared all-cause and breast cancer-specific mortality for elderly patients with breast cancer with and without mental illness. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted by using SEER-Medicare data, including 19,028 women ≥ 68 years of age who were diagnosed with stage I to IIIa breast cancer in the United States from 2005 to 2007. Patients were classified as having severe mental illness if an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification code for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorder was recorded on at least one inpatient or two outpatient claims during the 3 years before breast cancer diagnosis. Patients were followed for up to 5 years after breast cancer diagnosis to assess survival outcomes, which were then compared with those of patients without mental illness. Results Nearly 3% of patients had preexisting severe mental illness. We observed a two-fold increase in the all-cause mortality hazard between patients with severe mental illness compared with those without mental illness after adjusting for age, income, race, ethnicity, geographic location, and marital status (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.84 to 2.60). A 20% increase in breast cancer-specific mortality hazard was observed, but the association was not significant (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.74). Patients with severe mental illness were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and aggressive tumor characteristics. They also had increased tobacco use and more comorbidities. Conclusion Patients with severe mental illness may need assistance with coordinating medical services.

LiCl regulates mitochondrial biogenesis during megakaryocyte development

JAK-STAT, PI3K-AKT and MAPK signaling pathways are involved in platelet production process. Although wnt signaling has been reported in the biogenesis of platelets, but its role in megakaryocyte development is not well studied. We used an inducible canonical wnt signaling system that utilizes LiCl (GSK-3β inhibitor). LiCl could activate wnt signaling pathway along with maturation of megakaryocytes. Mitochondrial staining showed an increase in mitochondrial mass upon induction with LiCl. Also, mitochondrial markers PGC-1α and TFAM were up regulated with increase in mitochondrial DNA content. LiCl leads to increase in the ROS production, suggesting significance of mitochondria in megakaryocyte development.

PTEN Overexpression Cooperates With Lithium to Reduce the Malignancy and to Increase Cell Death by Apoptosis via PI3K/Akt Suppression in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Lithium is a well-established non-competitive inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a kinase that is involved in several cellular processes related to cancer progression. GSK-3β is regulated upstream by PI3K/Akt, which is negatively modulated by PTEN. The role that lithium plays in cancer is controversial because lithium can activate or inhibit survival signaling pathways depending on the cell type. In this study, we analyzed the mechanisms by which lithium can modulate events related to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and evaluated the role that survival signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and PTEN play in this context. We show that the administration of lithium decreased the proliferative potential of CRC cells in a GSK-3β-independent manner but induced the accumulation of cells in G2/M phase. Furthermore, high doses of lithium increased apoptosis, which was accompanied by decreased proteins levels of Akt and PTEN. Then, cells that were induced to overexpress PTEN were treated with lithium; we observed that low doses of lithium strongly increased apoptosis. Additionally, PTEN overexpression reduced proliferation, but this effect was minor compared with that in cells treated with lithium alone. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PTEN overexpression and lithium treatment separately reduced cell migration, colony formation, and invasion, and these effects were enhanced when lithium treatment and PTEN overexpression were combined. In conclusion, our findings indicate that PTEN overexpression and lithium treatment cooperate to reduce the malignancy of CRC cells and highlight lithium and PTEN as potential candidates for studies to identify new therapeutic approaches for CRC treatment.

Lithium chloride has a biphasic effect on prostate cancer stem cells and a proportional effect on midkine levels

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent type of cancer in men worldwide and the levels of differentiation growth factor midkine (MK) are increased in PCa. Cancer and/or the treatment process itself may lead to psychiatric disorders. Lithium chloride (LiCl) has anti-manic properties and has been used in cancer therapy; however, it has a queried safety profile. In addition, cancer stem cells are responsible for the heterogeneous phenotype of tumor cells; they are involved in progression, metastasis, recurrence and therapy resistance in various cancer types. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of different concentrations of LiCl on PCa stem cells (whether a shift from tumorigenic to non-tumorigenic cells occurs) and to determine if these results can be explained through changes in MK levels. Monolayer and spheroid cultures of human prostate stem cells and non-stem cells were incubated with low (1, 10 µM) and high (100, 500 µM) concentrations of LiCl for 72 h. Cell proliferation, apoptotic indices, MK levels and ultrastructure were evaluated. Cells stimulated with low concentrations showed high proliferation, low apoptotic indices, high MK levels and more healthy ultrastructure. Opposite results were obtained at high concentrations. Furthermore, stem cells were more sensitive to stimulation and more resistant to inhibition than non-stem cells. LiCl exhibited concentration-dependent effects on stem cell and non-stem cell groups. MK levels were not involved in the biphasic effect of LiCl; however, they were proportionally affected. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to show the effect of LiCl on PCa stem cells through MK.

Lithium Promotes Longevity through GSK3/NRF2-Dependent Hormesis

The quest to extend healthspan via pharmacological means is becoming increasingly urgent, both from a health and economic perspective. Here we show that lithium, a drug approved for human use, promotes longevity and healthspan. We demonstrate that lithium extends lifespan in female and male Drosophila, when administered throughout adulthood or only later in life. The life-extending mechanism involves the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF-2). Combining genetic loss of the NRF-2 repressor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) with lithium treatment revealed that high levels of NRF-2 activation conferred stress resistance, while low levels additionally promoted longevity. The discovery of GSK-3 as a therapeutic target for aging will likely lead to more effective treatments that can modulate mammalian aging and further improve health in later life.

Hormesis: Decoding Two Sides of the Same Coin

In the paradigm of drug administration, determining the correct dosage of a therapeutic is often a challenge. Several drugs have been noted to demonstrate contradictory effects per se at high and low doses. This duality in function of a drug at different concentrations is known as hormesis. Therefore, it becomes necessary to study these biphasic functions in order to understand the mechanistic basis of their effects. In this article, we focus on different molecules and pathways associated with diseases that possess a duality in their function and thus prove to be the seat of hormesis. In particular, we have highlighted the pathways and factors involved in the progression of cancer and how the biphasic behavior of the molecules involved can alter the manifestations of cancer. Because of the pragmatic role that it exhibits, the imminent need is to draw attention to the concept of hormesis. Herein, we also discuss different stressors that trigger hormesis and how stress-mediated responses increase the overall adaptive response of an individual to stress stimulus. We talk about common pathways through which cancer progresses (such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2-Keap1), sirtuin-forkhead box O (SIRT-FOXO) and others), analyzing how diverse molecules associated with these pathways conform to hormesis.

LW-213 induces G2/M cell cycle arrest through AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway in human breast cancer cells

LW-213 is a derivative of Wogonin and the anticancer activities of Wogonin have been reported. To study whether LW-213 inhibits cancer cells and explore a possible mechanism, we investigate the compound in several cancer cell lines. We found LW-213 arrests G2/M cycle in breast cancer cells by suppression of Akt/Gsk3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. In compound treated cells, cell cycle-related proteins cyclin A, cyclin B1, p-CDK1, p-Cdc25C, and p-Chk2 (Thr68) were upregulated, and β-catenin nuclear translocation was inhibited. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed LW-213 inhibits binding of β-catenin/LEF complex to DNA. GSK3β inhibitor LiCl and siRNA against GSK3β partially reversed G2/M arrest in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. These results suggest LW-213 triggered G2/M cell cycle arrest through suppression of β-catenin signaling. In BALB/c mice, growth of xenotransplanted MCF-7 tumor was also inhibited after treatment of LW-213. Regulation of cyclin A, cyclin B1, and β-catenin by LW-213 in vivo was the same as in vitro study. In conclusion, we found LW-213 exerts its anticancer effect on cell proliferation and cell cycle through repression of Akt/Gsk3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. LW-213 could be a potential candidate for anticancer drug development.

Analysis of serum levels of 15 trace elements in breast cancer patients in Shandong, China

Experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that serum levels of trace elements may be associated with breast cancer risk. We compared serum levels of 15 trace elements between breast cancer patients and normal controls from Shandong, China, for the first time to assess whether serum levels of trace elements were associated with breast cancer risk. Eighty-eight breast cancer patients and 84 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. A Spectraspan V direct current plasma atomic emission spectrometer was used to determine the serum levels of 15 trace elements including Zn, Mn, Al, Cd, Fe, Mg, Ca, Pb, Cu, Se, Ni, Ti, Co, Li, and Cr. Breast cancer patients had significantly higher serum levels of Cd (p = 0.000), Mg (p = 0.001), Cu (p = 0.000), Co (p = 0.006), and Li (p = 0.003) and borderline higher Cr (p = 0.052), while significantly lower Mn (p = 0.000), Al (p = 0.000), Fe (p = 0.000), and Ti (p = 0.000) compared to their matched controls. However, there were no significant differences in serum levels of Zn (p = 0.824), Ca (p = 0.711), Pb (p = 0.274), Se (p = 0.236), and Ni (p = 0.185) between the two groups. Our study showed a possible association between serum levels of trace elements and breast cancer risk in eastern China, though it warrants further investigations to confirm the association. If confirmed, modulation of trace elements may help reduce breast cancer risk.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 as a therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders

The serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is involved in a broad range of cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. It is now also increasingly acknowledged as having a role to play in cognitive-related processes such as neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity and neural cell survival. Cognitive impairment represents a major debilitating feature of many neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, mood disorders, schizophrenia and fragile X syndrome, as well as being a result of traumatic brain injury or cranial irradiation. Accordingly, GSK-3 has been identified as an important therapeutic target for cognitive impairment, and recent preclinical studies have yielded important evidence demonstrating that GSK-3 inhibitors may be useful therapeutic interventions for restoring cognitive function in some of these brain disorders. The current review summarises the role of GSK-3 as a regulator of cognitive-dependent functions, examines current preclinical and clinical evidence of the potential of GSK-3 inhibitors as therapeutic agents for cognitive impairments in neuropsychiatric disorders, and offers some insight into the current obstacles that are impeding the clinical use of selective GSK-3 inhibitors in the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Lithium chloride suppresses colorectal cancer cell survival and proliferation through ROS/GSK-3β/NF-κB signaling pathway

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a serine/threonine protein kinase, has been regarded as a potential therapeutic target for multiple human cancers. In addition, oxidative stress is closely related to all aspects of cancer. We sought to determine the biological function of lithium, one kind of GSK-3β inhibitors, in the process of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in colorectal cancer. In this study, we analyzed the cell apoptosis and proliferation by cell viability, EdU, and flow cytometry assays through administration of LiCl. We used polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting to establish the effect of GSK-3β inhibition on the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. Results showed administration of LiCl increased apoptosis and the level of ROS in colorectal cancer cells. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms could be mediated by the reduction of NF-κB expression and NF-κB-mediated transcription. Taken together, our results demonstrated that therapeutic targeting of ROS/GSK-3β/NF-κB pathways may be an effective way for colorectal cancer intervention, although further preclinical and clinical testing are desirable.