Expression of ferroptosis-regulator xCT, GPX4, GSH, and HNE.
(A–F) Western blot assay showed that compared with the SCI group, GPX4 and xCT levels remarkably increased, but HNE level noticeably decreased in the DFO group, which was similar to that of the sham group at 2 and 7 days. Band intensities were analyzed using ImageJ software and normalized to β-actin or GAPDH. (G) GSH contents was analyzed at 2 and 7 days after SCI. Compared with the SCI group, GSH contents obviously decreased in the DFO group, which was similar to that of the sham group at 2 and 7 days. (H) Ferroptosis pathway. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 3; two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s post hoc test). DFO: Deferoxamine; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GPX4: glutathione peroxidase 4; GSH: glutathione; HNE: 4-hydroxynonenal; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SCI: spinal cord injury; xCT: system Xc-light chain; ns: not significant; d: days.