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Zhao R, Ran L, Yao H, He Y, Lu X, Zhu W, Zhang Y, Zhang T, Shi S, Luo Z, Zhang C. Moxibustion ameliorates ovarian function in premature ovarian insufficiency rats by activating cAMP/PKA/CREB to promote steroidogenesis in ovarian granulosa cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 242:106547. [PMID: 38754522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) presents a substantial challenge to women's physiological and psychological well-being. Hormone replacement therapy, as the preferred therapeutic approach, involves solely exogenous supplementation of estrogen. Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese external treatment, has been investigated in our previous studies. It not only improves hormone levels and clinical symptoms in POI patients but also safeguards ovarian reserve. This study aims to explore the regulatory mechanisms by which moxibustion modulates hormone levels and restores ovarian function in POI. A POI rat model was established using cyclophosphamide, and moxibustion treatment was applied at acupoints "CV4" and "SP6" for a total of four courses. Subsequently, ovaries from each group were subjected to transcriptome sequencing (Bulk RNA-seq). Target pathways and key genes were selected through enrichment analysis and GSVA scoring, with validation using various techniques including electron microscopy, ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrated that moxibustion restored the estrous cycle in POI rats, improved sex hormone levels, reduced the number of atretic follicles, and increased the count of dominant follicles (P<0.05). Bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed that moxibustion downregulated pathways associated with ovarian dysfunction, infertility, and immune responses, upregulated pathways related to follicular development and ovarian steroidogenesis. Furthermore, our data confirmed that moxibustion significantly increased the number of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) and upregulated the expression of proteins related to steroidogenesis in GCs, including FSHR, P450 arom, cAMP, PKA, and CREB (P<0.05), with no significant effect observed on proteins related to steroidogenesis in theca cells. These outcomes aligned with the RNA-seq results. In conclusion, these findings propose that moxibustion enhances steroidogenesis in GCs through the activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway, consequently improving impaired ovarian function in POI rats. This study provides robust evidence supporting moxibustion as a targeted intervention for treating POI by specifically regulating steroidogenesis in GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Lingxiang Ran
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China; Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China
| | - Hanyue Yao
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Yizhi He
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Xinru Lu
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Weina Zhu
- Central Laboratory, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China; Department of Biobank, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Yajie Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China; Department of Biobank, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Shijie Shi
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Zheng Luo
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China
| | - Cairong Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210022, China.
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Wang R, Gong W, Jiang Y, Yin Q, Wang Z, Wu J, Zhang M, Li M, Liu Y, Wang J, Chen Y, Ji Y. Fluoride exposure during puberty induces testicular impairment via ER stress-triggered apoptosis in mice. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 189:114773. [PMID: 38823497 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Fluoride, a ubiquitous environmental compound, carries significant health risks at excessive levels. This study investigated the reproductive toxicity of fluoride exposure during puberty in mice, focusing on its impact on testicular development, spermatogenesis, and underlying mechanisms. The results showed that fluoride exposure during puberty impaired testicular structure, induced germ cell apoptosis, and reduced sperm counts in mice. Additionally, the SOD activity and GSH content were significantly decreased, while MDA content was significantly elevated in the NaF group. Immunohistochemistry showed an increase in the number of cells positive for GRP78, a key ER stress marker. Moreover, qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed the upregulation of both Grp78 mRNA and protein expression, as well as increased mRNA expression of other ER stress-associated genes (Grp94, chop, Atf6, Atf4, and Xbp1) and enhanced protein expression of phosphorylated PERK, IRE1α, eIF2α, JNK, XBP-1, ATF-6α, ATF-4, and CHOP. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that fluoride exposure during puberty impairs testicular structure, induces germ cell apoptosis, and reduces sperm counts in mice. ER stress may participate in testicular cell apoptosis, and contribute to the testicular damage and decreased sperm counts induced by fluoride.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wenjing Gong
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yumeng Jiang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qizi Yin
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ziyue Wang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mengyuan Li
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yehao Liu
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Yuanhua Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Yanli Ji
- Department of Health Inspection and Quarantine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei Anhui, China.
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Niu Z, Duan L, Du Y, Yu F, Chen R, Li Z, Ba Y, Zhou G. Effect of zinc intake on association between fluoride exposure and abnormal sex steroid hormones among US pubertal males: NHANES, 2013-2016. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:2759-2772. [PMID: 38063965 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Excessive fluoride exposure can disturb the balance of sex hormones. Zinc is essential for sex hormone synthesis and spermatogenesis. But it is not clear how zinc affects the relationship of fluoride exposure with abnormal sex steroid hormones. Here, a total of 1008 pubertal males from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in two cycles (2013-2014, 2015-2016) were enrolled. The concentrations of water fluoride and plasma fluoride and the levels of serum testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Two 24-h dietary recall interviews were conducted to assess the dietary zinc intake. The relationships of fluoride exposure and zinc intake with sex hormones were examined using linear regression and logistic regression models, while the generalized additive model was used to evaluate their non-linear relationship. Our findings revealed that for every two-fold increase in plasma fluoride concentration, testosterone levels decreased by 7.27% (95% CI - 11.49%, - 2.86%) and estradiol levels decreased by 8.73% (95% CI - 13.61%, - 3.57%). There was also significant non-linear association observed between zinc intake and SHBG levels. Being in the first tertile of plasma fluoride had a 60% lower risk of high SHBG (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.18, 0.89) compared with being in the second tertile. When compared to the first tertile, being in the second tertile of zinc intake was associated with a 63% (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.14, 0.98) lower risk of high SHBG. Furthermore, we observed an interactive effect between the plasma fluoride and zinc intake on estradiol and SHBG, as well as the risk of high SHBG (P-interaction < 0.10). These findings suggest that fluoride exposure and zinc intake can affect sex steroid hormone levels and the risk of high SHBG. Notably, zinc intake may alleviate the increased risk of high SHBG and the abnormal changes of estradiol and SHBG caused by higher fluoride exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyuan Niu
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Leizhen Duan
- Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhui Du
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangfang Yu
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiqin Chen
- Jinshui District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Ba
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
- Yellow River Institute for Ecological Protection & Regional Coordinated Development, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyu Zhou
- Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China.
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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