2023). Its activation leads to increased intracellular cystine, which is subsequently converted to GSH, a major antioxidant. GPX4 utilizes GSH to reduce lipid hydroperoxides, thereby preventing ferroptotic cell death (Imai et al. 2017). In the context of depression, activation of the SLC7A11/GPX4 axis might mitigate oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, reducing ferroptosis and alleviating depressive symptoms (Z. Yang et al. 2024; Zhou et al. 2024). Here, GPX4 is linked to major depressive disorder.