Neural Regeneration Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.339491 · Published: December 1, 2022
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to secondary damage, including a type of cell death called ferroptosis. This process involves iron buildup and toxic lipid production. The study explores whether sodium selenite, a selenium compound, can aid recovery after SCI by preventing ferroptosis. The researchers found that sodium selenite treatment reduced iron levels and harmful lipid byproducts in rats with spinal cord injuries. It also boosted levels of proteins that protect cells and helped nerve cells survive. The study suggests that sodium selenite may improve recovery from spinal cord injuries by preventing ferroptosis through a specific molecular pathway involving proteins called specificity protein 1 (SP1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4).
Sodium selenite may represent a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating secondary damage and promoting neurological recovery following spinal cord injury.
The identification of the SP1/GPX4 pathway as a key mechanism suggests a target for developing more specific and effective treatments for SCI.
Additional studies are warranted to explore the optimal dosage, timing, and delivery methods of sodium selenite, as well as to validate these findings in clinical trials.