Recent advances in the application of gasotransmitters in spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a condition characterized by complete or incomplete motor and sensory impairment, as well as dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, caused by factors such as trauma, tumors, or inflammation. Current treatment methods primarily include traditional approaches like spinal canal decompression and internal fixation surgery, steroid pulse therapy, as well as newer techniques such as stem cell transplantation and brain-spinal cord interfaces. However, the above methods have limited efficacy in promoting axonal and neuronal regeneration. The challenge in medical research today lies in promoting spinal cord neuron regeneration and regulating the disrupted microenvironment of the spinal cord. Studies have shown that gas molecular therapy is increasingly used in medical research, with gasotransmitters such as hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen exhibiting neuroprotective effects in central nervous system diseases. The gas molecular protect against neuronal death and reshape the microenvironment of spinal cord injuries by regulating oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic processes. At present, gas therapy mainly relies on inhalation for systemic administration, which cannot effectively enrich and release gas in the spinal cord injury area, making it difficult to achieve the expected effects. With the rapid development of nanotechnology, the use of nanocarriers to achieve targeted enrichment and precise control release of gas at Sites of injury has become one of the emerging research directions in SCI. It has shown promising therapeutic effects in preclinical studies and is expected to bring new hope and opportunities for the treatment of SCI. In this review, we will briefly outline the therapeutic effects and research progress of gasotransmitters and nanogas in the treatment of SCI.