Deferoxamine alleviates ferroptosis in seawater immersion combined with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, with its severity potentially exacerbated by seawater immersion. Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has been implicated in TBI pathogenesis. However, the specific occurrence and underlying mechanisms of ferroptosis in the context of TBI compounded by seawater immersion remain unclear. Subsequently, we investigated the effects of seawater immersion on ferroptosis after the application of deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator and ferroptosis inhibitor, to explore its potential therapeutic value. We conducted RNA sequencing, protein expression analysis, oxidative stress assessment, histopathological examination, and behavioral testing to comprehensively evaluate the impact of DFO on ferroptosis and neurological outcomes. Our results demonstrated that seawater immersion significantly exacerbated ferroptosis in TBI. DFO treatment, however, attenuated ferroptosis, alleviated oxidative stress, reduced brain tissue damage, improved neuronal survival, and promoted motor function recovery. Despite these benefits, DFO exhibited limited effects on anxiety, novel object recognition, and spatial learning and memory. These findings suggest that ferroptosis represents a novel pathological mechanism in TBI under seawater immersion, and that DFO is a promising neuroprotective agent capable of modulating ferroptosis and enhancing neurological function. This study offers new insights into the complex injury conditions associated with TBI and seawater immersion, highlighting the potential of targeting ferroptosis for therapeutic intervention.