Promoting spinal cord injury repair by using ZnO@MOFs nanozymes functionalized hydrogel through the ROS microenvironment regulating pathway

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a kind of health problem characterized by oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis, which pose major challenges to the recovery of patients. Recently, the application of photothermal nanotechnology in medicine has opened up exciting new avenues for the treatment of SCI. This innovative approach leverages the unique properties of nanomaterials to enhance therapeutic outcomes. In our study, we developed a novel nanotherapeutic system named ZnO-ZIF8@H, which is designed to deliver targeted neuroprotective effects. We meticulously evaluated its performance under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation, which is known to promote local heating and stimulate biological processes. The data indicated that the application of ZnO-ZIF8@H combined with NIR irradiation significantly reduced oxidative stress levels in the affected tissues. This was evidenced by a marked decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a well-known indicator of lipid peroxidation and cellular damage. Simultaneously, the treatment notably enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) enzymes. These findings suggest that ZnO-ZIF8@H+NIR could both protect cells from oxidative damage and boost the internal antioxidant defenses, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic strategy for mitigating secondary injuries following spinal cord trauma. It also suppressed neuronal apoptosis, as evidenced by TUNEL staining and decreased Cleaved-Caspase3 expression in NeuN-positive neurons. These results indicated that ZnO-ZIF8@H+NIR effectively reduces secondary damage from SCI by alleviating apoptosis and oxidative stress, offering a promising approach for the therapy of SCI.