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Cao H, Xie Q, Luo P, Chen J, Xia K, Ma L, Chen D, Deng C, Wan Z. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure induces premature testicular senescence by disrupting mitochondrial respiratory chain through STAT5B-mitoSTAT3 in Leydig cell. GeroScience 2024; 46:4373-4396. [PMID: 38499958 PMCID: PMC11336147 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-024-01119-x] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a prevalent plasticizer, is known to have endocrine-disrupting effects on males and cause reproductive toxicity. There were causal effects of DEHP on testosterone levels in the real world by Mendelian randomization analysis. Exposure to DEHP during the preadult stage might lead to premature testicular senescence, but the mechanisms responsible for this have yet to be determined. In this study, we administered DEHP (300 mg/kg/day) to male C57BL/6 mice from postnatal days 21 to 49. The mice were kept for 6 months without DEHP. RNA sequencing was conducted on testicular tissue at PNM6. The results indicated that DEHP hindered testicular development, lowered serum testosterone levels in male mice, and induced premature testicular senescence. TM3 Leydig cells were exposed to 300 μM of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the bioactive metabolite of DEHP, for 72 h. The results also found that DEHP/MEHP induced senescence in vivo and in vitro. The mitochondrial respiratory chain was disrupted in Leydig cells. The expression and stability of STAT5B were elevated by MEHP treatment in TM3 cells. Furthermore, p-ERK1/2 was significantly decreased by STAT5B, and mitochondria-STAT3 (p-STAT3 ser727) was significantly decreased due to the decrease of p-ERK1/2. Additionally, the senescence level of TM3 cells was decreased and treated with 5 mM NAC for 1 h after MEHP treatment. In conclusion, these findings provided a novel mechanistic understanding of Leydig cells by disrupting the mitochondrial respiratory chain through STAT5B-mitoSTAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiming Cao
- The Andrology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- The Reproductive Andrology Clinic, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 628 Zhenyuan Road, 518000, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qigen Xie
- The Andrology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- The Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Peng Luo
- The Andrology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaqi Chen
- The Urology Department, Affiliated Sanming First Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Sanming, 365000, Fujian, China
| | - Kai Xia
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Ma
- The Reproductive Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Demeng Chen
- Translational Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunhua Deng
- The Andrology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi Wan
- The Andrology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Traore K, Zirkin B. Use of in vitro methodology to investigate phthalate effects on the differentiation of seminiferous tubule-associated stem cells to form Leydig cells and on the Leydig cells derived from the stem cells. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1352294. [PMID: 38362108 PMCID: PMC10867263 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1352294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Leydig cells isolated from the testis are able to sustain high levels of testosterone production in vitro, but only for up to 3 days. Such cells are valuable for addressing the acute effects of chemicals on steroidogenic function, but not for repeated or chronic effects. Methodology is now available by which adult Leydig cells can be derived in vitro from seminiferous tubule-associated stem cells. In contrast to isolated Leydig cells, the Leydig cells derived in this way can synthesize and secrete high levels of testosterone for months. Herein, we asked whether this system might be used to address the effect of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) exposure on the formation of Leydig cells from tubule-associated stem cells, and on the Leydig cells after their formation. Methods: Adult Brown Norway rats received an intraperitoneal injection of ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS) to eliminate the existing Leydig cells. Seminiferous tubules then were isolated and cultured in medium containing Insulin-Transferrin- Selenium (ITS), Smoothened Agonist (SAG), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Results: Culture of the tubules for 8 weeks resulted in the formation of cells on the surfaces of the tubules that stained for CYP11A1 and STAR and produced high levels of testosterone. When the tubules were cultured in medium containing increasing concentrations of MEHP, concentration-dependent effects on Leydig cell formation occurred. To determine the effect of MEHP on newly produced Leydig cells, tubules were cultured for 8 weeks in the absence of MEHP, resulting in the formation of adult Leydig cells, and then in medium containing increasing concentrations of MEHP. Concentration-dependent decreases in testosterone production by the adult Leydig cells were seen, and these decreases proved to be reversible. Discussion: The use of this new system should make it possible to determine the mechanisms by which acute, repeated, or chronic exposures to increasing concentrations of MEHP and/or exposure to other chemicals affect the formation of Leydig cells from stem cells, as well as the steroidogenic function of adult Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassim Traore
- Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine, Campbell University, Lillington, NC, United States
- Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Barry Zirkin
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Qigen X, Haiming C, Kai X, Yong G, Chunhua D. Prenatal DEHP Exposure Induces Premature Testicular Aging by Promoting Leydig Cell Senescence through the MAPK Signaling Pathways. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2023; 7:e2300130. [PMID: 37246248 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies show that prenatal di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure induces premature testicular aging. However, the evidence is weak, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. p38/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK pathways participate in aging. Leydig cell (LC) senescence results in testicular aging. Whether prenatal DEHP exposure induces premature testicular aging by promoting LC senescence warrants further study. Here, male mice undergo prenatal exposure to 500 mg per kg per day DEHP, and TM3 LCs are treated with 200 µm mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). MAPK pathways, testicular toxicity, and senescent phenotypes (β-gal activity, p21, p16, and cell cycle) of male mice and LCs are explored. Prenatal DEHP exposure induces premature testicular aging in middle-aged mice (poor genital development, reduced testosterone synthesis, poor semen quality, increased β-gal activity, and upregulated expression of p21 and p16). MEHP induces LCs senescence (cell cycle arrest, increased β-gal activity, and upregulated expression of p21). p38 and JNK pathways are activated, and the ERK pathway is inactivated. In conclusion, prenatal DEHP exposure induces premature testicular aging by promoting LC senescence through MAPK signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Qigen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Department of Andrology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Cao Haiming
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Center of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Xia Kai
- Department of Andrology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Gao Yong
- Department of Andrology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Deng Chunhua
- Department of Andrology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
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Lærkeholm Müller M, Busch AS, Ljubicic ML, Upners EN, Fischer MB, Hagen CP, Albrethsen J, Frederiksen H, Juul A, Andersson AM. Urinary concentration of phthalates and bisphenol A during minipuberty is associated with reproductive hormone concentrations in infant boys. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 250:114166. [PMID: 37058994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transient postnatal activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormone axis is termed minipuberty and considered an important developmental period, which is highly sensitive to endocrine disruption. Here, we explore exposure-outcome associations during minipuberty between concentrations of potentially endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in urine of infant boys and their serum reproductive hormone concentrations. METHODS In total, 36 boys participating in the COPENHAGEN Minipuberty Study had data available for both urine biomarkers of target endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive hormones in serum from samples collected on the same day. Serum concentrations of reproductive hormones were measured by immunoassays or by LC-MS/MS. Urinary concentrations of metabolites of 39 non-persisting chemicals, including phthalates and phenolic compounds, were measured by LC-MS/MS. Nineteen chemicals had concentrations above the limit of detection in ≥50% of children and were included in data analysis. Associations of urinary phthalate metabolite and phenol concentrations (in tertiles) with hormone outcomes (age- and sex-specific SD-scores) were analysed by linear regression. Primarily, we focused on the EU regulated phthalates; butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-iso-butyl phthalate (DiBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) as well as bisphenol A (BPA). Urinary metabolites of DiBP, DnBP and DEHP were summed and expressed as ∑DiBPm, ∑DnBPm and ∑DEHPm. RESULTS Compared to boys in the lowest ∑DnBPm tertile, urinary concentration of ∑DnBPm was associated with concurrent higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) SD-scores as well as lower testosterone/LH ratio in boys in the middle ∑DnBPm tertile (estimates (CI 95%) 0.79 (0.04; 1.54), 0.91 (0.13; 1.68), and -0.88 (-1.58;-0.19), respectively). Further, higher insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) SD-scores and lower DHEAS SD-score in boys in the highest ∑DnBPm tertile (0.91 (0.12; 1.70) and -0.85 (-1.51;-0.18), respectively) were observed. In addition, boys in the middle and highest ∑DEHPm tertile had higher LH (1.07 (0.35; 1.79) and 0.71 (-0.01; 1.43), respectively) and in the highest ∑DEHPm tertile also higher AMH (0.85 (0.10; 1.61)) concentration SD-scores, respectively. Boys in the highest BPA tertile had significantly higher AMH and lower DHEAS concentration compared to boys in the lowest BPA tertile (1.28 (0.54; 2.02) and -0.73 (-1.45; -0.01)), respectively. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate that exposure to chemicals with known or suspected endocrine disrupting potential, especially the EU-regulated DnBP, DEHP and BPA, may modify male reproductive hormone concentrations in infant boys suggesting that minipuberty is a critical window sensitive to endocrine disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Lærkeholm Müller
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexander Siegfried Busch
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; University of Münster, Department of General Pediatrics, Münster, Germany
| | - Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emmie N Upners
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Margit B Fischer
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Casper P Hagen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jakob Albrethsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; International Centre for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Lu L, Liu JB, Wang JQ, Lian CY, Wang ZY, Wang L. Glyphosate-induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species overproduction activates parkin-dependent mitophagy to inhibit testosterone synthesis in mouse leydig cells. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120314. [PMID: 36183875 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate (GLY), one of the most extensively used herbicides in the world, has been shown to inhibit testosterone synthesis in male animals. Mitochondria are crucial organelles for testosterone synthesis and its dysfunction has been demonstrated to induce the inhibition of testosterone biosynthesis. However, whether low-dose GLY exposure targets mitochondria to inhibit testosterone synthesis and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, an in vitro model of 10 μM GLY-exposed mouse Leydig (TM3) cells was established to elucidate this issue. Data firstly showed that mitochondrial malfunction, mainly manifested by ultrastructure damage, disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) overproduction, was responsible for GLY-decreased protein levels of steroidogenic enzymes, which leads to the inhibition of testosterone synthesis. Enhancement of autophagic flux and activation of mitophagy were shown in GLY-treated TM3 cells, and further studies have revealed that GLY-activated mitophagy is parkin-dependent. Notably, GLY-inhibited testosterone production was significantly improved by parkin knockdown. Finally, data showed that treatment with mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO (M-T) markedly reversed GLY-induced mitochondrial network fragmentation, activation of parkin-dependent mitophagy and consultant testosterone reduction. Overall, these findings demonstrate that GLY induces mtROS overproduction to activate parkin-dependent mitophagy, which contributes to the inhibition of testosterone synthesis. This study provides a potential mechanistic explanation for how GLY inhibits testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Jing-Bo Liu
- College of Biological and Brewing Engineering, Taishan University, 525 Dongyue Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271000, China
| | - Jin-Qiu Wang
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture, Beijing, 102442, China
| | - Cai-Yu Lian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Zhen-Yong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271018, China
| | - Lin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271018, China.
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