Fig. 5.

FGF21 overexpression protects against iron overload-induced liver damage and fibrosis in mice.

C57/BL6 male mice were intravenously injected with AdEGFP or AdFGF21-EGFP. Two days later, mice were IP injected with PBS or iron dextran (0.1 mg/g body weight per day) daily for 7 days. Mice were sacrificed on day 7, and serum and liver were harvested. (A) Fgf21 mRNA levels in the liver (n = 10). (B) The body weight graph (n = 10). (C) Hepatic iron concentrations (n = 10). (D and E) Serum ALT and AST levels (n = 10). (F) The mRNA of hepatic pro-fibrogenic genes ɑ-SMA (n = 10). (G and H) Hepatic OH^.- and MDA levels. (I) Iron metabolism and ferroptosis related protein expression in the liver.