Old Drug, New Target: inhaled Lithium attenuates changes in Lung Mechanics in Bleomycin induced animal model of Lung Fibrosis

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis remains an incurable disease with poor prognosis. Recently the focus in research on the possible pathogenesis of this debilitating illness has shifted, at least in part, to premature accelerated aging of lung tissue as a driving force leading to fibrosis. Telomere shortening as a marker of premature aging, may play an important role in an approach to understand idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to test the effect of inhaled lithium on pulmonary fibrosis, as a potential new treatment modality. The reason for such an approach was based upon observational results published in several articles demonstrating the ability of lithium to elongate telomeres of patients on long-term lithium treatment for bipolar disorder. Results: : We conducted an animal study in a Bleomycin induced model of pulmonary fibrosis to investigate this hypothesis. Results of this study have shown a beneficial effect of inhaled lithium. Mice were protected from changes in gas exchange (hypoxia) as well as from changes in lung mechanics, experiencing reversion of these changes that are characteristic of pulmonary fibrosis in the Bleomycin induced model of pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: Taking in account the multiple cellular and physiological effects of lithium we do not want to be bound by one theory of the beneficial action of inhaled lithium to Bleomycin induced lung fibrosis. Given these positive preliminary results we suggest that further studies are indicated to expound upon the therapeutic implications of this approach to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.