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Afzal A, Zhang Y, Afzal H, Saddozai UAK, Zhang L, Ji XY, Khawar MB. Functional role of autophagy in testicular and ovarian steroidogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1384047. [PMID: 38827527 PMCID: PMC11140113 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1384047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular recycling process that maintains cellular homeostasis. Despite extensive research in endocrine contexts, the role of autophagy in ovarian and testicular steroidogenesis remains elusive. The significant role of autophagy in testosterone production suggests potential treatments for conditions like oligospermia and azoospermia. Further, influence of autophagy in folliculogenesis, ovulation, and luteal development emphasizes its importance for improved fertility and reproductive health. Thus, investigating autophagy in gonadal cells is clinically significant. Understanding these processes could transform treatments for endocrine disorders, enhancing reproductive health and longevity. Herein, we provide the functional role of autophagy in testicular and ovarian steroidogenesis to date, highlighting its modulation in testicular steroidogenesis and its impact on hormone synthesis, follicle development, and fertility therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Afzal
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 988 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hanan Afzal
- Molecular Medicine and Cancer Therapeutics Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Umair Ali Khan Saddozai
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Henan International Joint Laboratory for Nuclear Protein Regulation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Xin-Ying Ji
- Faculty of Basic Medical Subjects, Shu-Qing Medical College of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Medicine, Huaxian County People’s Hospital, Huaxian, Henan, China
| | - Muhammad Babar Khawar
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Applied Molecular Biology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Narowal, Narowal, Pakistan
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Wang S, Luo J, Zhang F, Zhang R, Ju W, Wu N, Zhang J, Liu Y. Association between blood volatile organic aromatic compound concentrations and hearing loss in US adults. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:623. [PMID: 38413886 PMCID: PMC10897984 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, collectively referred to as benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BEX), constitute the main components of volatile organic aromatic compounds (VOACs) and can have adverse effects on human health. The relationship between exposure to BEX and hearing loss (HL) in the adult U.S. population was aimed to be assessed. METHODS Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2004, 2011-2012, and 2015-2016 were analyzed. This dataset included complete demographic characteristics, pure-tone audiometry measurements, and volatile organic compound detection data from the NHANES database. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between blood BEX concentrations HL, low-frequency hearing loss (SFHL), and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). RESULTS 2174 participants were included, with weighted prevalence rates of HL, SFHL, and HFHL being 46.81%, 25.23%, and 45.86%, respectively. Exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene, and cumulative BEX concentrations increased the risk of hearing loss (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.23, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). In the analysis with SFHL as the outcome, ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.26, 1.21, 1.28, 1.20, and 1.25, respectively; all P < 0.05). For HFHL, exposure to ethylbenzene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, benzene, and overall BEX increased the risk (OR 1.36, 1.22, 1.42, 1.22, and 1.31, respectively; all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our study indicated that a positive correlation between individual or cumulative exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, meta/para-xylene, and ortho-xylene and the risk of HL, SFHL, and HFHL. Further research is imperative to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms by which organic compounds, notably BEX, in causing hearing loss and to validate these findings in longitudinal environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Senlin Wang
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Luo
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China
| | - Ruimin Zhang
- College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wantao Ju
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nianwei Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
- Research Center for Obesity and Metabolic Health, College of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
- Medical Research Center, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jianhui Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology head and neck surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610031, China.
| | - Yanjun Liu
- The Center of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China.
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Alhelaisi A, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Aldahmash W, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Early-Life Exposure to the Mycotoxin Fumonisin B1 and Developmental Programming of the Ovary of the Offspring: The Possible Role of Autophagy in Fertility Recovery. TOXICS 2023; 11:980. [PMID: 38133381 PMCID: PMC10747440 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11120980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are produced by more than one hundred fungi and produce secondary metabolites that contaminate various agricultural commodities, especially rice and corn. Their presence in the food chain is considered a serious problem worldwide. In recent years, a link between exposure to mycotoxins and impaired fertility has been suggested. Consequently, it has become vital to investigate the interactive effects of these mycotoxins on ovarian function. In this study, we investigated the intergenerational effects of the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) on ovarian structure and function. Virgin Wistar albino female rats were separated into control and FB1 treatment groups and examined from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery (20 and 50 mg/kg b.w./day). The obtained female rats of the first (F1) and second generations (F2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and ovary samples were collected. We found that the ovary weight index increased with the high dose of the treatment (50 mg/kg b.w./day) among both F1 and F2, in a manner similar to that observed in polycystic ovary syndrome. As expected, FB1 at a high dose (50 mg/kg b.w.) reduced the number of primordial follicles in F1 and F2, leading to an accelerated age-related decline in reproductive capacity. Moreover, it reduced the fertility rate among the F1 female rats by affecting follicle growth and development, as the number of secondary and tertiary follicles decreased. Histopathological changes were evidenced by the altered structures of most of the growing follicle oocytes, as revealed by a thinning irregular zona pellucida and pyknosis in granulosa cells. These findings are concomitant with steroidogenesis- and folliculogenesis-related gene expression, as evidenced by the decrease in CYP19 activity and estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) gene expression. Additionally, GDF-9 mRNA levels were significantly decreased, and IGF-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased. However, the results from the ovaries of the F2 treatment groups were different and unexpected. While there was no significant variation in CYP19 activity compared to the control, the ESR2 significantly increased, leading to stereological and histopathological changes similar to those of the control, except for some altered follicles. The hallmark histological feature was the appearance of vacuolar structures within the oocyte and between granulosa cell layers. Interestingly, the autophagic marker LC3 was significantly increased in the F2 offspring, whereas this protein was significantly decreased in the F1 offspring. Therefore, we suggest that the promotion of autophagy in the ovaries of the F2 offspring may be considered a recovery mechanism from the effect of prenatal FB1 exposure. Thus, autophagy corrected the effect of FB1 during the early life of the F1 female rats, leading to F2 offspring with ovarian structure and function similar to those of the control. However, the offspring, treated female rats may experience early ovarian aging because their ovarian pool was affected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (A.A.); (S.N.); (W.A.); (S.A.)
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Sirotkin AV, Alexa R, Alshamrani A, Harrath AH. Fennel affects porcine ovarian cell functions: The interrelationships with the environmental contaminant benzene. Res Vet Sci 2023; 164:104991. [PMID: 37657392 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104991] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the direct effects of the medicinal plant fennel on basic functions of ovarian cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, and release of progesterone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI), as well as to prevent the influence of the environmental contaminant benzene on these cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without fennel extract alone or in combination with benzene. The expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the apoptosis marker bax was analyzed by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fennel was able to promote proliferation and IGF-I release, but to suppress apoptosis and progesterone release. Benzene promoted the accumulation of both the proliferation and apoptosis markers, as well as IGF-I release, but it inhibited progesterone secretion. The presence of fennel did not prevent the effects of benzene on any of the measured parameters, while benzene prevented the effects of fennel on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and IGF-I but not progesterone output. These observations demonstrate the direct influence of fennel and benzene on basic ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, they show the inability of fennel to prevent the effects of benzene on these cells. On the other hand, the environmental contaminant benzene can block the response of ovarian cells to the medicinal plant fennel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Sirotkin
- Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; Research Institute of Animal Production, National Agricultural and Food Center, 951 41 Lužianky, Slovakia.
| | - Richard Alexa
- Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Abdullah Alshamrani
- King Saud University, College of Science, Zoology Department, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- King Saud University, College of Science, Zoology Department, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Arafah M, Aldawood N, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Alwasel S, Mansour L, Harrath AH. Prenatal exposure to acrylamide differently affected the sex ratio, aromatase and apoptosis in female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Physiol Res 2023; 72:59-69. [PMID: 36545876 PMCID: PMC10069810 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we investigated the effect of acrylamide (ACR) exposure during pregnancy on the ovary of female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Sixty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were given different doses of ACR (2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until giving birth. Females from the first generation (AF1) were fed ad libitum, and thereafter, a subgroup was euthanized at 8 weeks of age and ovary samples were obtained. The remaining females were maintained until they reached sexual maturity (50 days old) and then treated in the same way as the previous generation to obtain the second generation of females (AF2). The histopathological examination indicated a high frequency of corpora lutea along with an increased number of antral follicles that reached the selectable stage mainly at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Interestingly, ACR exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of CYP19 gene and its corresponding CYP19 protein expression in AF1 females. The TUNEL assay showed a significantly high rate of apoptosis in stromal cells except for dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. However, in AF2 females, ACR exposure significantly increased the number of degenerating follicles and cysts while the number of growing follicles was reduced. Moreover, in both ACR-treated groups, estradiol-producing enzyme CYP19A gene and its corresponding protein were significantly reduced, and an excessive apoptosis was produced. We concluded that the ovarian condition of AF1 females had considerable similarity to the typical early perimenopausal stage, whereas that of AF2 females was similar to the late perimenopausal stage in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arafah
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Aldawood N, Jalouli M, Alrezaki A, Nahdi S, Alamri A, Alanazi M, Manoharadas S, Alwasel S, Harrath AH. Fetal programming: in utero exposure to acrylamide leads to intergenerational disrupted ovarian function and accelerated ovarian aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:6887-6904. [PMID: 36069806 PMCID: PMC9512500 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the effects of multigenerational exposures to acrylamide (ACR) on ovarian function. Fifty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were divided into the control and ACR-treated groups (2.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. The obtained females of the first (AF1) and second generation (AF2) were euthanized at 4 weeks of age, and plasma and ovary samples were collected. We found that in utero multigenerational exposure to ACR reduced fertility and ovarian function in AF1 through inducing histopathological changes as evidenced by the appearance of cysts and degenerating follicles, oocyte vacuolization, and pyknosis in granulosa cells. TMR red positive cells confirmed by TUNEL assay were mostly detected in the stroma of the treated groups. Estradiol and IGF-1 concentrations significantly decreased as a result of decreased CYP19 gene and its protein expression. However, ACR exposure in AF2 led to early ovarian aging as evidenced by high estradiol and progesterone levels among all treated groups compared to control group, corresponding to the upregulation of the CYP19 gene and protein expression. The apoptotic cells of the stroma were greatly detected compared to that in the control group, whereas no significant difference was reported in ESR1 and ESR2 gene expression. This study confirms the developmental adverse effects of ACR on ovarian function and fertility in at least two consecutive generations. It emphasizes the need for more effective strategies during pregnancy, such as eating healthy foods and avoiding consumption of ACR-rich products, including fried foods and coffee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouf Aldawood
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maroua Jalouli
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulkarem Alrezaki
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saber Nahdi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alamri
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Alanazi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salim Manoharadas
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdel Halim Harrath
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Allethrin Promotes Apoptosis and Autophagy Associated with the Oxidative Stress-Related PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Developing Rat Ovaries. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126397. [PMID: 35742842 PMCID: PMC9224321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased concern regarding the reduction in female fertility and the impressive numbers of women undergoing fertility treatment support the existence of environmental factors beyond inappropriate programming of developing ovaries. Among these factors are pyrethroids, which are currently some of the most commonly used pesticides worldwide. The present study was performed to investigate the developmental effects of the pyrethroid-based insecticide allethrin on ovarian function in rat offspring in adulthood. We mainly focused on the roles of oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy and the related pathways in ovarian injury. Thirty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were intragastrically administered 0 (control), 34.2 or 68.5 mg/kg body weight allethrin after breeding from Day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. We found that allethrin-induced ovarian histopathological damage was accompanied by elevations in oxidative stress and apoptosis. Interestingly, the number of autophagosomes in allethrin-treated ovaries was higher, and this increase was correlated with the upregulated expression of genes and proteins related to the autophagic marker LC-3. Furthermore, allethrin downregulated the expression of PI3K, AKT and mTOR in allethrin-treated ovaries compared with control ovaries. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that exposure to the pyrethroid-based insecticide allethrin adversely affects both the follicle structure and function in rat offspring during adulthood. Specifically, allethrin can induce excessive oxidative stress and defective autophagy-related apoptosis, probably through inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and these effects may contribute to ovarian dysfunction and impaired fertility in female offspring.
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