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Zhao P, Yuan Q, Liang C, Ma Y, Zhu X, Hao X, Li X, Shi J, Fu Q, Fan H, Wang D. GPX4 degradation contributes to fluoride-induced neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive impairment via mtROS-chaperone-mediated autophagy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172069. [PMID: 38582117 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a newly recognized type of programmed cell death that is implicated in the pathophysiological process of neurological disorders. Our previous studies have revealed that exposure to high concentrations of fluoride for long periods of time induces hippocampal neural injury and cognitive deficits. However, whether ferroptosis is involved in fluoride-induced neuronal death and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. In this study, the results indicated that exposure to high fluoride triggered ferroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells and in the hippocampus of mice. Fluoride exposure accelerated the lysosomal degradation of GPX4 and led to neuronal ferroptosis, while GPX4 overexpression protected SH-SY5Y cells against fluoride-induced neurotoxicity. Intriguingly, the enhanced chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) induced by fluoride stimulation was responsible for GPX4 degradation because the inhibition of CMA activity by LAMP2A knockdown effectively prevented fluoride-induced GPX4 loss. Furthermore, mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) accumulation caused by fluoride contributed to CMA activation-mediated GPX4 degradation and subsequent neuronal ferroptosis. Notably, the ferroptosis-specific inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) or the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) alleviated fluoride-evoked hippocampal neuronal death and synaptic injury as well as cognitive deficits in mice. The present studies indicates that ferroptosis is a novel mechanism of fluoride-induced neurotoxicity and that chronic fluoride exposure facilitates GPX4 degradation via mtROS chaperone-mediated autophagy, leading to neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Zhao
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China; Henan Province Rongkang Hospital, Luoyang, China
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Yilu Ma
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhu
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xueqin Hao
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Jian Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Qizhi Fu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Hua Fan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
| | - Dongmei Wang
- College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.
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Li Y, Zhao Y, Wang J, Wang J. Effects of fluoride on PIWI-interacting RNA expression profiling in testis of mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 269:128727. [PMID: 33213873 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Excessive fluoride intake can damage testis by breaking the integrity of sperm DNA and changing the expression profiles of testicular mRNAs and microRNAs. However, the effects of fluoride on the expression of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in mouse testes have not been reported. In this study, we determined the effect of fluoride on PIWI-interacting RNA expression profiling in testis of mice, using deep-sequencing technology. Compared to the control, 50 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure led to a reduced testicular organ coefficient, semen quality, and testosterone level, and altered the testicular microstructure. Furthermore, NaF exposure also changed the expression of 28 piRNAs that regulate 182 target genes in mouse testes. In mice given water containing 50 mg/L NaF, the following four pathways were enriched and overexpressed: lysosomal, Jak-STAT, chemokine, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Among the piRNAs affecting the lysosomal pathway, piR-mmu-1277316, piR-mmu-8060747, and piR-mmu-1566415 levels were increased. We also observed increased levels of the following target gene mRNAs in lysosomal pathwa in the 50 mg/L NaF-treated group: Gga2, Ap4e1, Gla, and Ap1s3. These findings are in line with the results of piRNA-sequencing and suggest that piRNAs in the testis could be potential biomarkers for fluoride reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, People's Republic of China; Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Changzhi Medical College, Changzhi, Shanxi, 046011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yangfei Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinming Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, People's Republic of China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, People's Republic of China.
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Wang J, Xu H, Cheng X, Yang J, Yan Z, Ma H, Zhao Y, Ommati MM, Manthari RK, Wang J. Calcium relieves fluoride-induced bone damage through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Food Funct 2020; 11:1155-1164. [PMID: 31872845 DOI: 10.1039/c9fo02491c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bone is the main target of fluorosis, and it has been perfectly elaborated that a moderate dosage of calcium (Ca) can alleviate bone fluorosis. However, whether Ca can alleviate fluorosis through the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway has not yet been reported. Hence, we evaluated the histopathological structure, the imbalance of the biochemical index of bone metabolism, and the expression levels of PI3K/AKT apoptosis signaling pathway-related genes in rats treated with sodium fluoride (NaF, F) and/or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) for 120 days. Our results suggest that 100 mg L-1 NaF induced histopathological injury as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (StrACP) activity increased, with a decrease in the serum Ca levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results of qRT-PCR and western blotting showed that F increased the expression levels of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), PI3K, AKT, forkhead box O1 (Foxo1), Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (BIM), Bcl2-associated x protein (Bax) and Caspase 3 (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). It also decreased the expression of AnnexinA5 (Anxa5), 3'-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), which finally activated the PI3K/AKT pathway. On the other hand, CaCO3 supplementation reversed the histopathological injury along with the levels of ALP, StrACP and serum Ca, alleviating the gene expression levels of PI3K/AKT pathway-related markers. Altogether, we can conclude that CaCO3 supplementation mitigated F-induced bone damage via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, Shanxi, PR China
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4
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Mrvelj A, Womble MD. Fluoride-Free Diet Stimulates Pineal Growth in Aged Male Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 2020; 197:175-183. [PMID: 31713773 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-01964-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The pineal gland is a naturally calcifying endocrine organ which secretes the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. Age-related changes of the pineal have been observed, including decreased pinealocyte numbers, increased calcification, and a reduction in melatonin production. Since fluoride is attracted to calcium within the pineal gland, this study sought to examine the effects of a fluoride-free diet on the morphology of the pineal gland of aged male rats (26 months old). All animals had previously been raised on standard fluoridated food and drinking water. These control animals were compared to other animals that were placed on a fluoride-free diet ("fluoride flush") for 4 or 8 weeks. At 4 weeks, pineal glands from fluoride-free animals showed a 96% increase in supporting cell numbers and at 8 weeks a 73% increase in the number of pinealocytes compared to control animals. In contrast, the number of pinealocytes and supporting cells in animals given an initial 4-week fluoride flush followed by a return to fluoridated drinking water (1.2 ppm NaF) for 4 weeks were not different from control animals. Our findings therefore demonstrate that a fluoride-free diet encouraged pinealocyte proliferation and pineal gland growth in aged animals and fluoride treatment inhibited gland growth. These findings suggest that dietary fluoride may be detrimental to the pineal gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Mrvelj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH, 44555, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeastern Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Mark D Womble
- Department of Biological Sciences, Youngstown State University, 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH, 44555, USA.
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Jiang S, Liang C, Gao Y, Liu Y, Han Y, Wang J, Zhang J. Fluoride exposure arrests the acrosome formation during spermatogenesis via down-regulated Zpbp1, Spaca1 and Dpy19l2 expression in rat testes. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 226:874-882. [PMID: 31509916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The exposure and health effects of fluoride are an ongoing topic that has attracted worldwide attention. Fluoride exposure disturbs the testicular development, sexual hormone levels and spermatogenesis. However, as to whether fluoride interferes with acrosome formation which is essential for production of capable spermatozoa during spermatogenesis still remains unclear. The objective was to determine the effects of fluoride on the acrosome formation and to further elucidate the potential mechanism of impaired reproductive function. For this, forty adult rats were assigned into four groups. The control group received distilled water, while the other three groups were treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg NaF/L via drinking water for 56 d, respectively. Testes were processed for total RNA extraction and western blot analysis. Three samples of each group were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution for transmission electron microscopy analysis. From the results, we first found that fluoride decreased the expression of mRNA and protein levels of Zpbp1, Spaca1 and Dpy19l2 of seven markers during acrosome biogenesis in testes. Furthermore, fluoride damaged not only the acrosome structure, but also the structure of the nuclear lamina which was observed to be discontinuous and partially missing by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, the results indicated that the altered structure in nuclear lamina maybe due to reduced LMNB2 expression in testis induced by fluoride. In a nutshell, fluoride exposure could restrain acrosome biogenesis during spermatogenesis and contribute to the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Jiang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Yan Gao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Yongli Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China
| | - Jianhai Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China; College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China.
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6
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Orta Yilmaz B, Korkut A, Erkan M. Sodium fluoride disrupts testosterone biosynthesis by affecting the steroidogenic pathway in TM3 Leydig cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 212:447-455. [PMID: 30165274 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.08.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine is an essential trace element to which humans and animals are exposed through water, food, air and products used for dental health. Numerous studies have reported the detrimental effects of fluoride on testicular function and fertility; however, the underlying mechanisms of testosterone biosynthesis remain unclear. In this study, Leydig cells, the primary cells responsible for the production and regulation of steroid hormones in the testis, were used to elicit effects of sodium fluoride on the steroidogenic pathway. Leydig cells were treated with 0, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 mg/L sodium fluoride for 24 h, respectively. The result of the study showed that sodium fluoride significantly decreased cell viability and cell proliferation, increased cell cytotoxicity and decreased the amounts of testosterone and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, these results indicated that NaF suppressed the expression of steroidogenic genes (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, 3β-hydroxy dehydrogenase type I and 17β-hydroxy dehydrogenase type III) and proteins (luteinizing hormone receptor, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, 3β-hydroxy dehydrogenase), by changing the mRNA expression levels of the transcription factors (steroidogenic factor-1, GATA binding protein-4, nerve growth factor IB and nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Banu Orta Yilmaz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ahu Korkut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Isparta City Hospital, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Melike Erkan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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7
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Wang C, Chen Y, Manthari RK, Wang J. Abnormal spermatogenesis following sodium fluoride exposure is associated with the downregulation of CREM and ACT in the mouse testis. Toxicol Ind Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/0748233718754471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
cAMP response element modulator (CREM) is involved in regulating gene expression in normal spermatogenesis. The transcriptional activity of CREM is partly regulated by activator of CREM in the testis (ACT). To investigate the effects of different concentrations of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the gene and protein expression of CREM and ACT in the mouse testis, sexually mature male Kunming mice were exposed to 50, 100, or 150 mg/L NaF in their drinking water for 90 days. NaF reduced the sperm count and viability and increased the percentage of malformed sperm in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of CREM and ACT was markedly downregulated in the NaF-treated groups. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed that CREM and ACT proteins were decreased significantly in the 50, 100, and 150 mg/L NaF-treated groups compared to the control group. These findings indicate that the decreased gene and protein expression of CREM and ACT in the testis is associated with an impairment of reproductive functions by NaF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China
- Medical Experiment Center, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Chen
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ram Kumar Manthari
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China
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8
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Yang X, Yang B, He L, Li R, Liao Y, Zhang S, Yang Y, Xu X, Zhang D, Tan H, Li J, Li J. Bioinspired Peptide-Decorated Tannic Acid for in Situ Remineralization of Tooth Enamel: In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:3553-3562. [PMID: 33445390 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yang
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Libang He
- State
Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, Third Section of Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Ruiqi Li
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yixue Liao
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Shuhui Zhang
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Yinxin Yang
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Xinyuan Xu
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Dongyue Zhang
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Hong Tan
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Jiyao Li
- State
Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, No.14, Third Section of Ren Min Nan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
| | - Jianshu Li
- Department
of Biomedical Polymers and Artificial Organs, College of Polymer Science
and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, No. 24, First Section of South Yihuan Road, Chengdu 610065, P. R. China
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9
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Zhang J, Zhu Y, Shi Y, Han Y, Liang C, Feng Z, Zheng H, Eng M, Wang J. Fluoride-Induced Autophagy via the Regulation of Phosphorylation of Mammalian Targets of Rapamycin in Mice Leydig Cells. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:8966-8976. [PMID: 28927274 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride is known to impair testicular function and decrease testosterone levels, yet the underlying mechanisms remain inconclusive. The objective of this study is to investigate the roles of autophagy in fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity using both in vivo and in vitro Leydig cell models. Using transmission electron microscopy and monodansylcadaverine staining, we observed increasing numbers of autophagosomes in testicular tissue, especially in Leydig cells of fluoride-exposed mice. Further study revealed that fluoride increased the levels of mRNA and protein expression of autophagy markers LC3, Beclin1, and Atg 5 in primary Leydig cells. Furthermore, fluoride inhibited the phosphorylation of mammalian targets of rapamycin and 4EBP1, which in turn resulted in a decrease in the levels of AKT and PI3K mRNA expression, as well as an elevation of the level of AMPK expression in both testes and primary Leydig cells. Additionally, fluoride exposure significantly changed the mRNA expression of the PDK1, TSC, and Atg13 regulator genes in primary Leydig cells but not in testicular cells. Taken together, our findings highlight the roles of autophagy in fluoride-induced testicular and Leydig cell damage and contribute to the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of fluoride-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhai Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yuchen Zhu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Yongli Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Chen Liang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Zhiyuan Feng
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
| | - Heping Zheng
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, United States
| | - Michelle Eng
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu, Shanxi 030801, China
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