Insulin attenuates LPS-induced cognitive impairment and ferroptosis through regulation of glucose metabolism in hippocampus

Aims: Neuroinflammation is a recognized contributor to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease, with ferroptosis emerging as a novel mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction associated with neuroinflammation. Insulin, pivotal in the central nervous system, holds promise for cognitive function enhancement. This study aimed to establish a cognitive impairment model through intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the impact of intracerebroventricular insulin injection on cognitive function in mice.

Methods: We employed diverse experimental techniques, including animal behavior testing, molecular assays, targeted metabolomics, nuclear medicine, and electron microscopy, to assess neurodegenerative changes, brain insulin resistance (IR), glucose uptake and metabolism, and ferroptosis. The model of cognitive impairment was induced via intracerebroventricular injection of LPS, followed by intracerebroventricular administration of insulin to evaluate its effects.

Results: Insulin treatment effectively mitigated LPS-induced cognitive decline and safeguarded against neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, insulin alleviated LPS-induced insulin resistance, enhanced glucose uptake in the hippocampus, and promoted the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) production. Additionally, insulin activated the glutathione (GSH)-glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial damage characteristic of LPS-induced ferroptosis in the hippocampus.

Conclusion: Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of insulin in alleviating LPS-induced cognitive impairment and ferroptosis by modulating glucose metabolism. This study offers a promising avenue for future interventions targeting cognitive decline.