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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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Lu H, Guo J, Li Y, Zhang X, Liu W. Network analysis to explore the anti-senescence mechanism of Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (JCYSTLF) in diabetic kidneys. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29364. [PMID: 38720731 PMCID: PMC11076649 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29364] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Jinchan Yishen Tongluo Formula (JCYSTLF) has the effect of delaying senescence in diabetic kidneys. However, the mechanism is not clear. Purpose Combination methods to investigate the anti-senescence mechanism of JCYSTLF in diabetic kidneys. Methods The main compounds of JCYSTLF were characterized by LC-MS/MS, and the anti-senescence targets of JCYSTLF were screened via network analysis. Then, we performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to validate the results. Results The target profiles of compounds were obtained by LC-MS/MS to characterize the primary function of JCYSTLF. Senescence was identified as a key biological functional module of JCYSTLF in the treatment of DN via constructing compounds-target-biological network analysis. Further analysis of senescence-related targets recognized the HIF-1α/autophagy pathway as the core anti-senescence mechanism of JCYSTLF in diabetic kidneys. Animal experiments showed, in comparison with valsartan, JCYSTLF showed an improvement in urinary albumin and renal pathological damage. JCYSTLF enhanced the ability of diabetic kidneys to clear senescence-related proteins via regulating autophagy confirmed by autophagy inhibitor CQ. However, HIF-1α inhibitor 2-ME weakened the role of JCYSLTF in regulating autophagy in diabetic kidneys. Meanwhile, over-expressed HIF-1α in HK-2 cells decreased the levels of SA-β-gal, p21 and p53 induced by AGEs. Upregulated HIF-1α could reverse the blocking of autophagy induced by AGEs in HK-2 cells evaluated by ptfLC3. Conclusion We provided in vitro and in vivo evidence for the anti-senescence role of JCYSTLF in regulating the HIF-1α/autophagy pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Lu
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Beijing, 100700, China
- Clinical Basic Research Institute of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yachun Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Xueqin Zhang
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Beijing, 100700, China
- Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050091, China
| | - Weijing Liu
- Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100700, China
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Beijing, 100700, China
- Zhanjiang Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001, China
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Mohammadi N, Hemmati M, Motlagh B, Biyabani A. Betaine postpones hyperglycemia-related senescence in ovarian and testicular cells: Involvement of RAGE and β-galactosidase. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3973. [PMID: 38488483 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3973] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The structural and functional disorders of the testis and ovary are one of the main complications of hyperglycemia. Betaine is a trimethyl glycine with antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory potential. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of betaine on the expression of aging and oxidative stress markers in ovarian and testicular cells under hyperglycemic conditions. Testicular and ovarian cells were subjected to four different conditions, including normal glucose and hyperglycemia, with or without betaine (5 mM). The cells with hyperglycemia saw an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), methylglyoxal (MGO), expression of a receptor for AGE, and aging-related genes (β-GAL), and a decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. The treatment with betaine, in contrast, decreased the amount of MGO and MDA, and also downregulated aging-related signaling. Although hyperglycemia induces senescence in testicular and ovarian cells, the use of betaine may have a protective effect against the cell senescence, which may be useful in the management of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Mohammadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mina Hemmati
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Behrouz Motlagh
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Arezou Biyabani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Liang S, Yin Y, Zhang Z, Fang Y, Lu G, Li H, Yin Y, Shen M. Moxibustion prevents tripterygium glycoside-induced oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in rats via reduced oxidative stress and modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:2141-2160. [PMID: 38277193 PMCID: PMC10911353 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205475] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) decreases male fertility, seriously affecting the production of offspring. This study clarified the preventive impact of different moxibustion frequencies on OAT and selected the optimal frequency to elucidate the underlying mechanism. An OAT rat model was constructed by gavage of tripterygium glycosides (TGS) suspension. Daily moxibustion (DM) or alternate-day moxibustion (ADM) was administered on the day of TGS suspension administration. Finally, we selected DM for further study based on sperm quality and DNA fragmentation index, testicular and epididymal morphology, and reproductive hormone level results. Subsequently, the oxidative stress (OS) status was evaluated by observing the OS indices levels; malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in testicular tissue using colorimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were evaluated using Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was employed to locate and assess the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein, while quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to detect their mRNA expression. MDA and 8-OHdG levels decreased following DM treatment, while T-SOD and T-AOC increased, suggesting that DM may prevent TGS-induced OAT in rats by decreasing OS in the testis. Furthermore, protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the testis were elevated, indicating that DM may reduce OS by activating the signaling pathway of Nrf2/HO-1. Therefore, DM could prevent OAT in rats via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby presenting a promising therapeutic approach against OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangjie Liang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaqun Yin
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhizi Zhang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yansu Fang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ge Lu
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxiao Li
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaoli Yin
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meihong Shen
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
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Raee P, Tan SC, Najafi S, Zandsalimi F, Low TY, Aghamiri S, Fazeli E, Aghapour M, Mofarahe ZS, Heidari MH, Fathabadi FF, Abdi F, Asouri M, Ahmadi AA, Ghanbarian H. Autophagy, a critical element in the aging male reproductive disorders and prostate cancer: a therapeutic point of view. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:88. [PMID: 37749573 PMCID: PMC10521554 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01134-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a highly conserved, lysosome-dependent biological mechanism involved in the degradation and recycling of cellular components. There is growing evidence that autophagy is related to male reproductive biology, particularly spermatogenic and endocrinologic processes closely associated with male sexual and reproductive health. In recent decades, problems such as decreasing sperm count, erectile dysfunction, and infertility have worsened. In addition, reproductive health is closely related to overall health and comorbidity in aging men. In this review, we will outline the role of autophagy as a new player in aging male reproductive dysfunction and prostate cancer. We first provide an overview of the mechanisms of autophagy and its role in regulating male reproductive cells. We then focus on the link between autophagy and aging-related diseases. This is followed by a discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy before we end with limitations of current studies and suggestions for future developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pourya Raee
- Student Research Committee, Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shing Cheng Tan
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sajad Najafi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 19395-4719, Iran
| | - Farshid Zandsalimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Teck Yew Low
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Fazeli
- Mehr Fertility Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mahyar Aghapour
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Zahra Shams Mofarahe
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Heidari
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Fadaei Fathabadi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Abdi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Asouri
- North Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Iran
| | | | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 19395-4719, Iran.
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Shi H, Korejo NA, Kamboh AA, Korejo RA, Shi F. Effects of hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus on spermatogenesis in peri- and post-pubertal mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1191571. [PMID: 37654561 PMCID: PMC10465343 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1191571] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diabetes and thyroid dysfunction often co-exist. One autoimmune disorder always invites another and it has been reported that such co-morbid ailments always become detrimental to the health of the patients. Materials and methods In our previous work, we elucidated the interactions of diabetes and hypothyroidism on testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, the present study illuminates the interface between diabetes and hyperthyroidism, where 16 ICR pregnant primiparous mice were used and subsequently 48 male pups were randomly selected (n=12/group) and separated into 4 groups: control (C), diabetic (D), diabetic + hyperthyroidism (DH) and hyperthyroidism (H). Results Computerized sperm analyses showed significant reductions in count by 20% and increases of 15% in D and H animals, respectively, vs. controls. However, rapid progressive sperm motility was significantly lower only in D (30%) compared with C mice. Our histomorphometric investigation depicted damaging effects on testicular and epididymal tissues; the stroma adjacent to the seminiferous tubules of the D mice revealed edematous fluid and unstructured material. However, in the epididymis, germ cell diminution contraction of tubules, compacted principal and clear cells, lipid vacuolization, atypical cellular connections, exfoliated epithelial cells, and round spermatids were conspicuous in DH mice. Discussion Collectively, our experiment was undertaken to ultimately better recognize male reproductive disorders in diabetic-hyperthyroid patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhao Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Nazar Ali Korejo
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad, Pakistan
| | - Asghar Ali Kamboh
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Hyderabad, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Ali Korejo
- Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Pakistan
| | - Fangxiong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Wang D, Tang Y, Wang Z. Role of sphingolipid metabolites in the homeostasis of steroid hormones and the maintenance of testicular functions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1170023. [PMID: 37008929 PMCID: PMC10065405 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1170023] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
With the acceleration of life pace and the increase of work pressure, the problem of male infertility has become a social problem of general concern. Sphingolipids are important regulators of many cellular processes like cell differentiation and apoptosis, which are ubiquitously expressed in all mammalian cells. Various sphingolipid catabolic enzymes can generate multiple sphingolipids like sphingosine-1-phosphate and sphingomyelin. Present studies have already demonstrated the role of steroid hormones in the physiological processes of reproduction and development through hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, while recent researches also found not only sphingolipids can modulate steroid hormone secretion, but also steroid hormones can control sphingolipid metabolites, indicating the role of sphingolipid metabolites in the homeostasis of steroid hormones. Furthermore, sphingolipid metabolites not only contribute to the regulation of gametogenesis, but also mediate damage-induced germ apoptosis, implying the role of sphingolipid metabolites in the maintenance of testicular functions. Together, sphingolipid metabolites are involved in impaired gonadal function and infertility in males, and further understanding of these bioactive sphingolipids will help us develop new therapeutics for male infertility in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Defan Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Dr. Zhengchao Wang,
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