Fibroblast growth factor 21 inhibits ferroptosis following spinal cord injury by regulating heme oxygenase-1

Interfering with the ferroptosis pathway is a new strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury. Fibroblast growth factor 21 can inhibit ferroptosis and promote neurofunctional recovery, while heme oxygenase-1 is a regulator of iron and reactive oxygen species homeostasis. The relationship between heme oxygenase-1 and ferroptosis remains controversial. In this study, we used a spinal cord injury rat model to show that the levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 in spinal cord tissue decreased after spinal cord injury. In addition, there was a significant aggravation of ferroptosis and a rapid increase in heme oxygenase-1 expression after spinal cord injury. Further, heme oxygenase-1 aggravated ferroptosis after spinal cord injury, while fibroblast growth factor 21 inhibited ferroptosis by downregulating heme oxygenase-1. Thus, the activation of fibroblast growth factor 21 may provide a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. These findings could provide a new potential mechanistic explanation for fibroblast growth factor 21 in the treatment of spinal cord injury.