1
Return

Melatonin Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Following Exertional Heat Stroke by Inhibiting Ferroptosis and Neuroinflammation

delete2025-08-08
delete0
PRE
AI
X
Xiaochen Wang
Z
Ziwei Han
刘超 (Chao Liu)
J
Jiaona Liu
Z
Zhi Dai
J
Jie Hu
Z
Zhi Mao
Q
Qinglin Li
F
Feihu Zhou *
DOI:10.1177/15230864251363577delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Aims: This study aims to investigate whether melatonin (MLT) exerts protective effects against cognitive impairment following exertional heat stroke (EHS) by modulating ferroportin (Fpn) to alleviate hippocampal ferroptosis and neuroinflammation. Results: Following EHS, genes such as Mt1, Mt2, and Trf were notably upregulated in the hippocampal tissue, whereas genes such as Slc40a1 (encoding Fpn 1) and Il33 were downregulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis implicated ferroptosis as a dominant. MLT significantly ameliorated learning and memory deficits observed in EHS mice. This treatment also modulated ferroptosis markers, such as Fpn, xCT, ferritin H, and glutathione peroxidase 4, reduced hippocampal iron overload, and decreased the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Furthermore, MLT treatment reduced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation and mitigated mitochondrial and neuronal damage in the hippocampal tissue. Strikingly, conditional Fpn knockout abolished MLT’s benefits: Fpn-cKO + MLT mice showed persistent iron accumulation, elevated IL-6 and TNF-α, and failed cognitive recovery. Innovation: Our study reveals that MLT prevents EHS-induced neurodegeneration by enhancing Fpn-dependent iron efflux, a mechanism that concurrently resolves hippocampal iron overload, suppresses ferroptosis, and dampens neuroinflammation. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that MLT mitigates EHS-related cognitive impairment by restoring hippocampal iron homeostasis and suppressing neuroinflammation, primarily through Fpn-dependent mechanisms. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000–000.
Keywords:
melatonin
ferroptosis
ferroportin
cognitive impairment
neuroinflammation

Journal

A
Antioxidants and Redox Signaling
IF:
6.1
Papers:
4.7K
Citations:
2.4W

Organization

B
N
Nankai University
Scholars:
918
Papers: 277
Citations: 6.3W
C
Chinese PLA General Hospital
Scholars:
1.3K
Papers: 415
Citations: 1.3W
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers