Dimercaprol Reprograms Intestinal Redox Homeostasis and Organelle Crosstalk to Combat Iron-Induced Gut Dysbiosis Through NRF2/HO-1 Signaling

Gut disorders are largely caused by iron-induced microbial dysbiosis. Excess iron disrupts barrier integrity by inducing oxidative stress, leading to impaired cellular processes. The determination of therapeutic compounds that can reduce iron-induced damage and maintain gut cellular integrity is still a top objective. Dimercaprol (DP) represents a novel iron-chelating strategy for the treatment of iron-induced gut disorders. A chronic iron-overload model was established in mice via intragastric gavage of ferric citrate (FC) (286 mg/kg BW) for 16 weeks. Similarly, IPEC-J2 cells were exposed to FC (50 µmol/L) for 24 h. DP was used as a mechanistic probe to elucidate the pathways involved in iron-induced toxicity. Cells were transfected with or without NRF2 siRNA and exposed to DP post-FC. Colonic contents were assessed via metagenomics and metabolomics. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were analyzed through a multifaceted analysis, Western blot, RT-qPCR, ELISA, transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence assays. Thiols in DP protect gut cells from damage by boosting their natural antioxidant defenses via the NRF2/HO-1 pathway. The DP mechanism of action is multifaceted, including enhancement of barrier integrity, protecting mitochondrial structure and function, suppression of inflammation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and restoration of gut microbial and metabolic homeostasis. These protective effects are mainly caused by the activation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway, which makes DP a potential therapeutic agent for disorders caused by chronic gut injury induced by FC. DP provides strong protection against iron-induced gut damage by restoring organelle crosstalk, redox homeostasis and microbial-metabolic balance through NRF2/HO-1 signaling.