T7 peptide-engineered liposomal Irisin mitigates PND progression through AMPK/PGC-1α signaling: multi-omic evidence of metabolic and epigenetic modulation

This study explored the molecular mechanisms by which T7 peptide-modified liposomal irisin (T7@Lipo@Irisin) alleviates perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) via regulation of the AMPK/PGC-1α metabolic pathway. T7@Lipo@Irisin nanoparticles were prepared by thin-film hydration and ultrasonic dispersion and showed favorable physicochemical performance, with an encapsulation efficiency of approximately 85%. Serum analysis of healthy donors (n = 10) and PND patients (n = 6) showed higher IL-6 and TNF-α and lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in PND. In vitro, T7@Lipo@Irisin restored mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, enhanced Neuro-2a hippocampal neuron viability, and activated the AMPK/PGC-1α axis under oxidative stress. In a PND mouse model, it improved Garcia neurological scores, preserved neuronal morphology, and decreased apoptosis. Multi-omic integration of scATAC-seq/scRNA-seq and TMT-based proteomics demonstrated enhanced neuro-glial crosstalk, epigenetic activation of metabolic/antioxidant genes (e.g., Sirt1, Nfe2l2), and upregulated pathways (mitochondrial function, NAD-dependent metabolism, synaptic homeostasis). Proteomics confirmed upregulation of SIRT1, NDUFS2, and BDNF, forming a network linked to energy metabolism and neural repair. Collectively, T7@Lipo@Irisin mitigates PND by activating AMPK/PGC-1α to enhance mitochondrial function and stabilize the neuro-microenvironment.