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Li Y, Zhou Y, Ma T, Dai J, Li H, Pan Q, Luo W. Research progress on the role of autophagy in the development of varicocele. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100894. [PMID: 38776742 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100894] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Varicocele (VC) is a common cause of infertility in men. Pathophysiological changes caused by VC, such as testicular hypoxia, high temperatures, oxidative stress, abnormal reproductive hormones, and Cd accumulation, can induce autophagy, thus affecting the reproductive function in patients with this condition. Autophagy regulators can be classified as activators or inhibitors. Autophagy activators upregulate autophagy, reduce the damage to the testis and epididymis, inhibit spermatogenic cell apoptosis, and protect fertility. In contrast, autophagy inhibitors block autophagy and aggravate the damage to the reproductive functions. Therefore, elucidating the role of autophagy in the occurrence, development, and regulation of VC may provide additional therapeutic options for men with infertility and VC. In this review, we briefly describe the progress made in autophagy research in the context of VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Li
- Reproductive Medicine Department, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Yulan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Department, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianzhong Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Department, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaze Dai
- Medical Laboratory Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Medical Laboratory Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Qingjun Pan
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease of Zhanjiang City, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wenying Luo
- Medical Laboratory Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
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Yahyavi SK, Boisen IM, Cui Z, Jorsal MJ, Kooij I, Holt R, Juul A, Blomberg Jensen M. Calcium and vitamin D homoeostasis in male fertility. Proc Nutr Soc 2024; 83:95-108. [PMID: 38072394 DOI: 10.1017/s002966512300486x] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Calcium and vitamin D have well-established roles in maintaining calcium balance and bone health. Decades of research in human subjects and animals have revealed that calcium and vitamin D also have effects on many other organs including male reproductive organs. The presence of calcium-sensing receptor, vitamin D receptor, vitamin D activating and inactivating enzymes and calcium channels in the testes, male reproductive tract and human spermatozoa suggests that vitamin D and calcium may modify male reproductive function. Functional animal models have shown that vitamin D deficiency in male rodents leads to a decrease in successful mating and fewer pregnancies, often caused by impaired sperm motility and poor sperm morphology. Human studies have to a lesser extent validated these findings; however, newer studies suggest a positive effect of vitamin D supplementation on semen quality in cases with vitamin D deficiency, which highlights the need for initiatives to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Calcium channels in male reproductive organs and spermatozoa contribute to the regulation of sperm motility and capacitation, both essential for successful fertilisation, which supports a need to avoid calcium deficiency. Studies have demonstrated that vitamin D, as a regulator of calcium homoeostasis, influences calcium influx in the testis and spermatozoa. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and male infertility, although further investigation is needed to establish a definitive causal relationship. Understanding the interplay between vitamin D, calcium and male reproductive health may open new avenues for improving fertility outcomes in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Kafai Yahyavi
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Marie Boisen
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zhihui Cui
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Joon Jorsal
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ireen Kooij
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune Holt
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, 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, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Blomberg Jensen
- Division of Translational Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV. Cadmium as a male reproductive toxicant and natural and non-natural ways to tackle it: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:18340-18361. [PMID: 38349491 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32210-7] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring environmental pollutant, a toxic substance that causes oxidative stress. According to epidemiological studies, the data suggested that environmental and occupational Cd exposure may be related to several diseases and severe testicular damage. However, studies are going on to explore the mechanism of Cd-induced male reproductive toxicity and its treatment strategies. Currently, researchers are focusing on naturally occurring bioactive compounds, plant extracts, and biochemical, which have better efficacy, less toxicity, and high bioavailability. This review focuses on the mechanistic effect of Cd on testicular toxicity and different categories of compounds having a beneficial impact on Cd-induced male reproductive toxicity. Some potent bioactive antioxidants are quercetin, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, curcumin, and silymarin. In comparison, plant extracts are Costus afer leaf methanol extract, methanol root extract of Carpolobia lutea, red carrot methanolic extract, Panax ginseng extract, and biochemicals including melatonin, progesterone, glutamine, L-carnitine, and selenium. Advanced and more detailed studies are needed on these compounds to explore their mechanism in attenuating Cd-induced testicular toxicity and can be potential therapeutics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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4
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Ali W, Deng K, Sun J, Ma Y, Liu Z, Zou H. A new insight of cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy during spermatogenesis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101064-101074. [PMID: 37646926 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29548-9] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a dynamic role in spermatozoa development during spermatogenesis. However, the disruption of autophagic flux induces cell death under metal toxicity and severe oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that cadmium-induced autophagy might be involved in this mechanism. To verify this hypothesis, we studied cadmium-induced cellular evidence of autophagic-associated spermiophagy within the testis. In the present study, treatment with cadmium caused nuclear depressive disorders and vacuolated mitochondrial damage of Sertoli cells. In addition, spermiophagy through the cellular evidence of spermatozoa phagocytosis, the high lysosomal activity (lysosome engulfment and phagolysosome), and autophagy activity (autolysosome and autophagosome) were observed in the Sertoli cells. The immunohistochemistry of lysosomal membrane protein (LAMP2) to target the phagocytosis of spermatozoa revealed that the immunoreactivity of LAMP2 was overstimulated in the luminal compartment of testis's seminiferous tubules. In addition, the immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence of autophagy-related protein and microtubule-associated light chain (LC3) results showed the strong immunoreactivity and immunosignaling of LC3 in the Sertoli cells of the testis. Moreover, cadmium caused the overactivation of the expression level of autophagy-related proteins, autophagy-related gene (ATG7), (ATG5), beclin1, LC3, sequestosome 1 (P62), and LAMP2 which were confirmed by western blotting. In summary, this study demonstrated that hazards related to cadmium-induced autophagic-associated spermiophagy with the disruption of autophagic flux, providing new insights into the toxicity of cadmium in mammals and representing a high risk to male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University Yangzhou, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, People's Republic of China.
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Arab HH, Fikry EM, Alsufyani SE, Ashour AM, El-Sheikh AAK, Darwish HW, Al-Hossaini AM, Saad MA, Al-Shorbagy MY, Eid AH. Stimulation of Autophagy by Dapagliflozin Mitigates Cadmium-Induced Testicular Dysfunction in Rats: The Role of AMPK/mTOR and SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathways. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1006. [PMID: 37513918 PMCID: PMC10386496 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071006] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant that triggers testicular dysfunction. Dapagliflozin is a selective sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor with notable antioxidant and anti-apoptotic features. It has shown marked cardio-, reno-, hepato-, and neuroprotective effects. Yet, its effect on Cd-evoked testicular impairment has not been examined. Hence, the goal of the current study was to investigate the potential positive effect of dapagliflozin against Cd-induced testicular dysfunction in rats, with an emphasis on autophagy, apoptosis, and oxidative insult. Dapagliflozin (1 mg/kg/day) was given by oral gavage, and testicular dysfunction, impaired spermatogenesis, and biomolecular events were studied via immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and ELISA. The current findings demonstrated that dapagliflozin improved relative testicular weight, serum testosterone, and sperm count/motility and reduced sperm abnormalities, signifying mitigation of testicular impairment and spermatogenesis disruption. Moreover, dapagliflozin attenuated Cd-induced histological abnormalities and preserved testicular structure. The testicular function recovery was prompted by stimulating the cytoprotective SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1 axis, lowering the testicular oxidative changes, and augmenting cellular antioxidants. As regards apoptosis, dapagliflozin counteracted the apoptotic machinery by downregulating the pro-apoptotic signals together with Bcl-2 upregulation. Meanwhile, dapagliflozin reactivated the impaired autophagy, as seen by a lowered accumulation of SQSTM-1/p62 and Beclin 1 upregulation. In the same context, the testicular AMPK/mTOR pathway was stimulated as evidenced by the increased p-AMPK (Ser487)/total AMPK ratio alongside the lowered p-mTOR (Ser2448)/total mTOR ratio. Together, the favorable mitigation of Cd-induced testicular impairment/disrupted spermatogenesis was driven by the antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and pro-autophagic actions of dapagliflozin. Thus, it could serve as a tool for the management of Cd-evoked testicular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Ebtehal Mohammad Fikry
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)-Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
| | - Shuruq E Alsufyani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M Ashour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al Qura University, P.O. Box 13578, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azza A K El-Sheikh
- Basic Health Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hany W Darwish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Al-Hossaini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammed A Saad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Muhammad Y Al-Shorbagy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman 4184, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)-Formerly NODCAR, Giza 12654, Egypt
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Ali W, Bian Y, Ali H, Sun J, Zhu J, Ma Y, Liu Z, Zou H. Cadmium-induced impairment of spermatozoa development by reducing exosomal-MVBs secretion: a novel pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:204675. [PMID: 37220720 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium is a heavy environmental pollutant that presents a high risk to male-fertility and targets the different cellular and steroidogenic supporting germ cells networks during spermatogenesis. However, the mechanism accounting for its toxicity in multivesicular bodies (MVBs) biogenesis, and exosomal secretion associated with spermatozoa remains obscure. In the current study, the light and electron microscopy revealed that, the Sertoli cells perform a dynamic role with secretion of well-developed early endosomes (Ee) and MVBs pathway associated with spermatozoa during spermatogenesis. In addition, some apical blebs containing nano-scale exosomes located on the cell surface and after fragmentation nano-scale exosomes were directly linked with spermatozoa in the luminal compartment of seminiferous tubules, indicating normal spermatogenesis. Controversially, the cadmium treated group showed limited and deformed spermatozoa with damaging acromion process and mid-peace, and the cytoplasmic vacuolization of spermatids. After cadmium treatment, there is very limited biogenesis of MVBs inside the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells, and no obvious secretions of nano-scale exosomes interacted with spermatozoa. Interestingly, the cadmium treated group demonstrated relatively higher formation of autophagosomes and autolysosome, and the autophagosomes were enveloped by MVBs that later formed the amphisome which degraded by lysosomes, indicating the hypo-spermatogenesis. Moreover, cadmium declined the exosomal protein cluster of differentiation (CD63) and increased the autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated light chain (LC3), sequestosome 1 (P62) and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) expression level were confirmed by Western blotting. These results provide rich information regarding how cadmium is capable of triggering impaired spermatozoa development during spermatogenesis by reduction of MVBs pathway through high activation of autophagic pathway. This study explores the toxicant effect of cadmium on nano-scale exosomes secretion interacting with spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Yusheng Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Hina Ali
- University of Health Sciences, Lahore 54651, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Jian Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, P.R China
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Hafez HM, Waz S, El-Tahawy NFG, Mohamed MZ. Agomelatine ameliorates cadmium-induced toxicity through the modification of HMGB-1/TLR-4/NFκB pathway. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 457:116313. [PMID: 36356678 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has potential hazards on human beings. Consequently, this study was performed to explore the protective effects of agomelatine (AGO), a melatonin receptor agonist, against Cd-induced toxicity in rats. AGO (40 mg/kg/day) was administered orally concomitant with intra peritoneal injection of Cd (0.4 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. Then, blood, biochemical parameters and histological examination of affected organs including, heart and testis, were evaluated. Interestingly, AGO significantly counteracted Cd-induced elevation of serum cardiac enzymes. Similarly, AGO significantly improved the deterioration of serum testosterone level with Cd administration. The oxidative balance was corrected by AGO, as evidenced by decrease malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase activity in cardiac and testicular tissues. Additionally, AGO increased silent information regulator 1 protein (SIRT-1) and decreased High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), Toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and Myd88 levels that subsequently reduced expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Moreover, level of apoptotic marker; caspase-3 was inhibited by AGO. In accordance with the biochemical and molecular results, AGO restored structure of cardiac myofibers and seminiferous tubules. Collectively, AGO mitigated cardiac and testicular toxicity of Cd via modulation of SIRT-1/HMGB1 and its downstream pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba M Hafez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia 61511, Egypt.
| | - Shaimaa Waz
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, El-Minia 61511, Egypt.
| | | | - Mervat Z Mohamed
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia 61511, Egypt.
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8
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Ali W, Ma Y, Zhu J, Zou H, Liu Z. Mechanisms of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury: A Risk to Male Fertility. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223601. [PMID: 36429028 PMCID: PMC9688678 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is a heavy toxic metal with unknown biological functions in the human body. Over time, cadmium accretion in the different visceral organs (liver, lungs, kidney, and testis) is said to impair the function of these organs, which is associated with a relatively long biological half-life and a very low rate of excretion. Recently studies have revealed that the testes are highly sensitive to cadmium. In this review, we discussed the adverse effect of cadmium on the development and biological functions of the testis. The Sertoli cells (SCs), seminiferous tubules, and Blood Testis Barrier are severely structurally damaged by cadmium, which results in sperm loss. The development and function of Leydig cells are hindered by cadmium, which also induces Leydig cell tumors. The testis's vascular system is severely disturbed by cadmium. Cadmium also perturbs the function of somatic cells and germ cells through epigenetic regulation, giving rise to infertile or sub-fertile males. In addition, we also summarized the other findings related to cadmium-induced oxidative toxicity, apoptotic toxicity, and autophagic toxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in the testicular tissue of different animal species. Consequently, cadmium represents a high-risk factor for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jiaqiao Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
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9
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Yao Y, Chen Z, Zhang T, Tang M. Adverse reproductive and developmental consequences of quantum dots. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113666. [PMID: 35697086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs), with a size of 1-10 nm, are luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals characterized by a shell-core structure. Notably, QDs have potential application in bioimaging owing to their higher fluorescence performance than conventional fluorescent dyes. To date, QDs has been widely used in photovoltaic devices, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis. In recent years, scientists have focused on whether the use of QDs can interfere with the reproductive and developmental processes of organisms, resulting in serious population and community problems. In this study, we first analyze the possible reproductive and development toxicity of QDs. Next, we summarize the possible mechanisms underlying QDs' interference with reproduction and development, including oxidative stress, altered gametogenesis and fetal development gene expression, autophagy and apoptosis, and release of metal ions. Thereafter, we highlight some potential aspects that can be used to eliminate or reduce QDs toxicity. Based on QDs' unique physical and chemical properties, a comprehensive range of toxicity test data is urgently needed to build structure-activity relationship to quickly evaluate the ecological safety of each kind of QDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongshuai Yao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaofang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Meng Tang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Shojaeepour S, Sharififar F, Haghpanah T, Iranpour M, Imani M, Dabiri S. Panax ginseng ameliorate toxic effects of cadmium on germ cell apoptosis, sperm quality, and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. TOXIN REV 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2021.1884095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Shojaeepour
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Fariba Sharififar
- Herbal and Traditional Medicines Research Center, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Tahereh Haghpanah
- Department of Anatomy, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Iranpour
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Masoud Imani
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Shahriar Dabiri
- Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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11
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Alsemeh AE, Ahmed MM, Fawzy A, Samy W, Tharwat M, Rezq S. Vitamin E rescues valproic acid-induced testicular injury in rats: Role of autophagy. Life Sci 2022; 296:120434. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Zeng L, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Wang X, Wang M, Su P. Differential Expression Profiles and Potential Intergenerational Functions of tRNA-Derived Small RNAs in Mice After Cadmium Exposure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:791784. [PMID: 35047503 PMCID: PMC8762212 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.791784] [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: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal and ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor. Previous studies on Cd-induced damage to male fertility mainly focus on the structure and function of testis, including cytoskeleton, blood-testis barrier, and steroidogenesis. Nevertheless, to date, no studies have investigated the effects of Cd exposure on sperm epigenetic inheritance and intergenerational inheritance. In our study, we systematically revealed the changes in sperm tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNA) profiles and found that 14 tsRNAs (9 up-regulated and 5 down-regulated) were significantly altered after Cd exposure. Bioinformatics of tsRNA-mRNA-pathway interactions revealed that the altered biological functions mainly were related to ion transmembrane transport, lipid metabolism and cell membrane system. In addition, we focused on two stages of early embryo development and selected two organs to study the impact of these changes on cell membrane system, especially mitochondrion and lysosome, two typical membrane-enclosed organelles. Surprisingly, we found that the content of mitochondrion was significantly decreased in 2-cell stage, whereas remarkably increased in the morula stage. The contents of mitochondrion and lysosome were increased in the testes of 6-day-old offspring and livers of adult offspring, whereas remarkably decreased in the testes of adult offspring. This provides a possible basis to further explore the effects of paternal Cd exposure on offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zeng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinzhao Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanwei Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ping Su
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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13
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Wang M, Zeng L, Su P, Ma L, Zhang M, Zhang YZ. Autophagy: a multifaceted player in the fate of sperm. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 28:200-231. [PMID: 34967891 PMCID: PMC8889000 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic process of degrading and recycling proteins and organelles to modulate various physiological and pathological events, including cell differentiation and development. Emerging data indicate that autophagy is closely associated with male reproduction, especially the biosynthetic and catabolic processes of sperm. Throughout the fate of sperm, a series of highly specialized cellular events occur, involving pre-testicular, testicular and post-testicular events. Nonetheless, the most fundamental question of whether autophagy plays a protective or harmful role in male reproduction, especially in sperm, remains unclear. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE We summarize the functional roles of autophagy in the pre-testicular (hypothalamic–pituitary–testis (HPG) axis), testicular (spermatocytogenesis, spermatidogenesis, spermiogenesis, spermiation) and post-testicular (sperm maturation and fertilization) processes according to the timeline of sperm fate. Additionally, critical mechanisms of the action and clinical impacts of autophagy on sperm are identified, laying the foundation for the treatment of male infertility. SEARCH METHODS In this narrative review, the PubMed database was used to search peer-reviewed publications for summarizing the functional roles of autophagy in the fate of sperm using the following terms: ‘autophagy’, ‘sperm’, ‘hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis’, ‘spermatogenesis’, ‘spermatocytogenesis’, ‘spermatidogenesis’, ‘spermiogenesis’, ‘spermiation’, ‘sperm maturation’, ‘fertilization’, ‘capacitation’ and ‘acrosome’ in combination with autophagy-related proteins. We also performed a bibliographic search for the clinical impact of the autophagy process using the keywords of autophagy inhibitors such as ‘bafilomycin A1’, ‘chloroquine’, ‘hydroxychloroquine’, ‘3-Methyl Adenine (3-MA)’, ‘lucanthone’, ‘wortmannin’ and autophagy activators such as ‘rapamycin’, ‘perifosine’, ‘metformin’ in combination with ‘disease’, ‘treatment’, ‘therapy’, ‘male infertility’ and equivalent terms. In addition, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for additional relevant publications. All relevant publications until August 2021 were critically evaluated and discussed on the basis of relevance, quality and timelines. OUTCOMES (i) In pre-testicular processes, autophagy-related genes are involved in the regulation of the HPG axis; and (ii) in testicular processes, mTORC1, the main gate to autophagy, is crucial for spermatogonia stem cell (SCCs) proliferation, differentiation, meiotic progression, inactivation of sex chromosomes and spermiogenesis. During spermatidogenesis, autophagy maintains haploid round spermatid chromatoid body homeostasis for differentiation. During spermiogenesis, autophagy participates in acrosome biogenesis, flagella assembly, head shaping and the removal of cytoplasm from elongating spermatid. After spermatogenesis, through PDLIM1, autophagy orchestrates apical ectoplasmic specialization and basal ectoplasmic specialization to handle cytoskeleton assembly, governing spermatid movement and release during spermiation. In post-testicular processes, there is no direct evidence that autophagy participates in the process of capacitation. However, autophagy modulates the acrosome reaction, paternal mitochondria elimination and clearance of membranous organelles during fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Deciphering the roles of autophagy in the entire fate of sperm will provide valuable insights into therapies for diseases, especially male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Harvard Reproductive Endocrine Science Center and Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ling Zeng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ping Su
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ling Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Zhen Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China.,Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health in Hubei Province, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China
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14
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Wu S, Zhong G, Wan F, Jiang X, Tang Z, Hu T, Rao G, Lan J, Hussain R, Tang L, Zhang H, Huang R, Hu L. Evaluation of toxic effects induced by arsenic trioxide or/and antimony on autophagy and apoptosis in testis of adult mice. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:54647-54660. [PMID: 34014480 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) and antimony (Sb) are well-known ubiquitous environmental contaminants and cause unpromising male reproductive effects in target and non-target exposed organisms. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ATO or/and Sb on process of autophagy, apoptosis, and reproductive organ in adult mice. For this reason, a total of 32 adult mice were randomly divided into different groups like control group, ATO-treated group, Sb-treated group, and combined group. The duration of current experimental trial was 2 months. Various adverse effects of ATO or/and Sb on sperm parameters, oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis were determined in testis of mice. Results indicated that parameters of sperm quality for organ coefficient, sperm count, ratio of sperm survival, testosterone level, and germ cells were significantly decreased, while malformation rate and vacuolization significantly increased in mice exposed to different treatments. Furthermore, the status of antioxidant index of T-AOC, SOD, and MsrB1 levels was reduced, while MDA increased significantly in ATO + Sb group. Results on TEM investigation determined that the autophagosomes, autolysosome, nuclear pyknosis, and chromatin condensation were prominent ailments, and the levels of autophagy and pro-apoptosis indictors including Beclin1, Atg-5, LC3B/LC3A, caspase-8, cytc, cleaved caspase-3, p53, and Bax were up-regulated in treated group, while the content of an anti-apoptosis maker (Bcl-2) was down-regulated. In conclusion, the results of our experiment suggested that abnormal process of autophagy and apoptosis was triggered by arsenic and antimony, and intensity of toxic effects increased in combined treatments of ATO and Sb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofeng Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Gaolong Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Fang Wan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Xuanxuan Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zhaoxin Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ting Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Gan Rao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Juan Lan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Riaz Hussain
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Lixuan Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Riming Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lianmei Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
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15
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Zhou L, Lv MQ, Ge P, Yang YQ, He DL, Wang HX, Zhou DX. The expression of Beclin-1 in testicular tissues of non-obstructive azoospermia patients and its predictive value in sperm retrieval rate. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:3267-3274. [PMID: 34532251 PMCID: PMC8421828 DOI: 10.21037/tau-21-320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Beclin-1 is an autophagy gene and higher levels suggest mammalian testicular damage. Our study aims at exploring the role of Beclin-1 in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients and clarifying the predictive value of Beclin-1for sperm retrieval in microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Methods In the present study, 62 NOA patients were finally recruited. Serum hormone including luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol II (E2), testosterone (T) and prolactin (PRL), as well as testicular volume were measured. Testicular histopathology was diagnosed by two independent pathologists. The expression of Beclin-1 was detected by real-time PCR in testicular tissue. Results Our study illustrated that Beclin-1 was differently expressed in three pathological types of NOA. Compared with hypospermatogenesis (HS, P=0.002) or maturation arrest (MA, P=0.049), Beclin-1 showed significantly up-regulated in Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) group. Moreover, Beclin-1 expression was obviously positive related with serum LH (rho =0.269, P=0.036), meanwhile significantly negative correlation with testicular volume (rho =-0.370, P=0.003), serum T (rho =-0.326, P=0.010), Johnsen score (rho =-0.318, P=0.012), and pathologic type (rho =-0.452, P<0.001). Furthermore, a logistic regression model demonstrated that Beclin-1 is an important predictor of failed sperm retrieval (OR =0.001, P=0.007), which exhibited a pretty AUC =78.6 (P=0.001). Conclusions Beclin-1 may play a critical role in spermatogenesis. Elevated Beclin-1 may be obviously associated with lower chances of positive sperm retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Assisted Reproduction Center, Northwest Women and Children's Hospital, Xi'an, China.,Urology Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mo-Qi Lv
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Pan Ge
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Qi Yang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Da-Lin He
- Urology Department, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hai-Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dang-Xia Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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16
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da Silva J, Gonçalves RV, de Melo FCSA, Sarandy MM, da Matta SLP. Cadmium Exposure and Testis Susceptibility: a Systematic Review in Murine Models. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:2663-2676. [PMID: 32951117 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is known that cadmium induces damage to the testis. However, the significant cadmium impact on the testicular architecture and the mechanisms involved in this process are not clear. Besides, the relationship between dose, route, and time of exposure and injuries remains poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to assess whether cadmium exposure in any dose, route, and time of exposure causes significant alteration in the testicular tissue of murine models, as well as the main mechanisms involved. We performed a structured search on the Medline/PubMed and Scopus databases to retrieve studies published until September 2018. The results were organized into an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework. Also, a bias analysis of included studies was performed. We included 37 studies, and most of them identified significant histopathologies in both tubule and intertubule regarding routes, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The damages were observed after the first hours of exposure, mainly vascular damages suggesting that vasculature failure is the primary mechanism. The AOP showed that potential molecular initiating events may mimic and interfere with essential elements disrupting proteins (structural and antioxidants), change in the oxidative phosphorylation enzyme activities, and gene expression alteration, which lead to reproductive failure (adverse outcome). Analysis of methodological quality showed that the current evidence is at high risk of bias. Despite the high risk of bias, cadmium triggers significant lesions in the testis of murine models, regarding routes, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, mainly due to vascular changes. Therefore, cadmium is a risk factor for male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina da Silva
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Sérgio Luis Pinto da Matta
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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17
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Bhardwaj JK, Paliwal A, Saraf P. Effects of heavy metals on reproduction owing to infertility. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2021; 35:e22823. [PMID: 34051019 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The reproductive performance of most of the species is adversely affected by hazardous heavy metals like lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, zinc, and copper. Heavy metals are liberated in the environment by natural sources like rock weathering, volcanic eruption, and other human activities like industrial discharge, mineral mining, automobile exhaust, and so forth. Heavy metals alter several reproductive functions in both males and females like a decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, spermatogenesis, hormonal imbalance, follicular atresia, and delay in oocyte maturation, and so forth, and thus, forms an important aspect of reproductive toxicology. The present review compiles toxicity aspects of various heavy metals and their efficacy and mechanism of action in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender K Bhardwaj
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
| | - Aakansha Paliwal
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
| | - Priyanka Saraf
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India
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18
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Boisen IM, Rehfeld A, Mos I, Poulsen NN, Nielsen JE, Schwarz P, Rejnmark L, Dissing S, Bach-Mortensen P, Juul A, Bräuner-Osborne H, Lanske B, Blomberg Jensen M. The Calcium-Sensing Receptor Is Essential for Calcium and Bicarbonate Sensitivity in Human Spermatozoa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e1775-e1792. [PMID: 33340048 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is essential to maintain a stable calcium concentration in serum. Spermatozoa are exposed to immense changes in concentrations of CaSR ligands such as calcium, magnesium, and spermine during epididymal maturation, in the ejaculate, and in the female reproductive environment. However, the role of CaSR in human spermatozoa is unknown. OBJECTIVE This work aimed to investigate the role of CaSR in human spermatozoa. METHODS We identified CaSR in human spermatozoa and characterized the response to CaSR agonists on intracellular calcium, acrosome reaction, and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in spermatozoa from men with either loss-of-function or gain-of-function mutations in CASR and healthy donors. RESULTS CaSR is expressed in human spermatozoa and is essential for sensing extracellular free ionized calcium (Ca2+) and Mg2+. Activators of CaSR augmented the effect of sperm-activating signals such as the response to HCO3- and the acrosome reaction, whereas spermatozoa from men with a loss-of-function mutation in CASR had a diminished response to HCO3-, lower progesterone-mediated calcium influx, and were less likely to undergo the acrosome reaction in response to progesterone or Ca2+. CaSR activation increased cAMP through soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) activity and increased calcium influx through CatSper. Moreover, external Ca2+ or Mg2+ was indispensable for HCO3- activation of sAC. Two male patients with a CASR loss-of-function mutation in exon 3 presented with normal sperm counts and motility, whereas a patient with a loss-of-function mutation in exon 7 had low sperm count, motility, and morphology. CONCLUSION CaSR is important for the sensing of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- in spermatozoa, and loss-of-function may impair male sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Marie Boisen
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Bone and Mineral Research, Harvard School of Dental Medicine/Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anders Rehfeld
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Iris Mos
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadia Nicholine Poulsen
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - John Erik Nielsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Schwarz
- Department of Endocrinology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Rejnmark
- Department of Endocrinology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steen Dissing
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Bräuner-Osborne
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Beate Lanske
- Division of Bone and Mineral Research, Harvard School of Dental Medicine/Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Blomberg Jensen
- Group of Skeletal, Mineral, and Gonadal Endocrinology, Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Division of Bone and Mineral Research, Harvard School of Dental Medicine/Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Zhao X, Wang S, Li X, Liu H, Xu S. Cadmium exposure induces TNF-α-mediated necroptosis via FPR2/TGF-β/NF-κB pathway in swine myocardium. Toxicology 2021; 453:152733. [PMID: 33626375 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is one common environmental pollutant with systemic toxicity. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) can regulate transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway and alleviate tissue injury via binding to formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2). The activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway can promote the occurence of necroptosis. However, whether Cd exposure induces necroptosis in swine myocardium and the role of FPR2/TGF-β/NF-κB pathway in this process are unclear. Hence, we established Cd-exposed swine myocardial injury model by feeding a CdCl2 added diet (20 mg Cd/kg diet). Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe the morphological changes, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was performed to detect the levels of ion elements in myocardium. We further detected LXA4 and its receptor FPR2, TGF-β, Nrf2, NF-κB pathway and necroptosis related-genes expressions by RT-PCR and western blot. The results showed that Cd exposure induced necrotic cell death and ion homeostasis imbalance in swine myocardium. Moreover, Cd exposure increased the LXA4 content, inhibited the FPR2 expression, activated TGF-β pathway and suppressed Nrf2 pathway, activating the NF-κB pathway. In addition, Cd exposure increased the expressions of necroptosis related-genes TNF-α, TNFR1, RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL. It indicated Cd exposure induced necroptosis via FPR2/TGF-β/NF-κB pathway, revealing the potential mechanism of Cd-induced cardiotoxicity in swine myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Shengchen Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China
| | - Honggui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
| | - Shiwen Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, PR China.
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Arab HH, Gad AM, Reda E, Yahia R, Eid AH. Activation of autophagy by sitagliptin attenuates cadmium-induced testicular impairment in rats: Targeting AMPK/mTOR and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways. Life Sci 2021; 269:119031. [PMID: 33453244 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Cadmium (Cd) is a prevalent environmental contaminant that incurs deleterious health effects, including testicular impairment. Sitagliptin, a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, has demonstrated marked cardio-, hepato-, and reno-protective actions, however, its impact on Cd-triggered testicular dysfunction has not been formerly investigated. Hence, the present study aimed to explore the probable beneficial impact of sitagliptin against Cd-evoked testicular impairment which may add to its potential clinical utility. The underlying mechanisms pertaining to the balance between testicular autophagy and apoptosis were explored, including the AMPK/mTOR and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways. MATERIALS AND METHODS The testicular tissues were examined using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA. Sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/day, by gavage) was administered for 4 consecutive weeks. KEY FINDINGS Sitagliptin attenuated the testicular impairment via improvement of the relative testicular weight, sperm count/motility, sperm abnormalities, and serum testosterone. Additionally, sitagliptin counteracted Cd-induced histologic aberrations/disrupted spermatogenesis. Interestingly, sitagliptin augmented the defective autophagy as demonstrated by upregulating Beclin 1 protein expression and lowering p62 SQSTM1 protein accumulation. These effects were mediated via the activation of testicular AMPK/mTOR pathway as proven by increasing p-AMPK (Ser485, Ser491)/total AMPK and diminishing p-mTOR (Ser2448)/total mTOR protein expression. Additionally, sitagliptin suppressed the testicular apoptotic events via downregulating Bax and upregulating Bcl-2 protein expression. In tandem, sitagliptin suppressed the oxidative stress through lowering lipid peroxides and activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway via upregulating the protein expression of Nrf2, and the downstream effectors HO-1 and GPx. SIGNIFICANCE Sitagliptin attenuated Cd-induced testicular injury via boosting the autophagy/apoptosis ratio through activation of AMPK/mTOR and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hany H Arab
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo 11562, Egypt.
| | - Amany M Gad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, El Ismailia, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly NODCAR, Giza, Egypt
| | - Enji Reda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, El Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Rania Yahia
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly NODCAR, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H Eid
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly NODCAR, Giza, Egypt
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21
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Wang J, Zhu H, Lin S, Wang K, Wang H, Liu Z. Protective effect of naringenin against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male SD rats. J Inorg Biochem 2020; 214:111310. [PMID: 33221601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of naringenin (Nar) on cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular toxicity. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 5 weeks were used. Rats were administered with 0.9% NaCl (control group), CdCl2 (2 mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally), Nar (50 mg/kg b.w, orally), and CdCl2 + Nar (2 mg/kg b.w intraperitoneally and 50 mg/kg b.w. orally, respectively) for 4 weeks. Results showed that body weight, relative testis weights, and sperm quality decreased in the Cd-treated group, and Cd accumulated in serum and testes. Pathological examination showed that Cd can cause testicular damage. Cd decreased the serum concentrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. It also decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, exposure to Cd resulted in decreased content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentrations, as well as increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. Cd also provoked testis autophagy by upregulating the expression of the autophagy-related proteins P62 and LC3 II. However, the combined administration of Nar and Cd significantly attenuated the Cd-induced negative effects by increasing the body weight, relative testis weights, and sperm quality and by decreasing testicular damage. Simultaneous supplementation of Nar and Cd markedly restored the decreased levels of GnRH, FSH, LH, testosterone, GSH, and T-AOC and the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx caused by Cd treatment. Nar further suppressed MDA and H2O2 production and protected the testes from Cd-induced autophagy by downregulating P62 and LC3 II expression. Therefore, Nar protected the testes from Cd-induced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, 471023 Luoyang, PR China.
| | - Huali Zhu
- Law hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, 471023 Luoyang, PR China
| | - Shu Lin
- Law hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, 471023 Luoyang, PR China
| | - Ke Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, 471023 Luoyang, PR China
| | - Hongwei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, 471023 Luoyang, PR China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, No.12, East Wenhui Road, 225009 Yangzhou, PR China
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22
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Tian Y, Xiao YH, Geng T, Sun C, Gu J, Tang KF, Liu B, Liu YM, Sun F. Clusterin suppresses spermatogenic cell apoptosis to alleviate diabetes-induced testicular damage by inhibiting autophagy via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis. Biol Cell 2020; 113:14-27. [PMID: 32942336 DOI: 10.1111/boc.202000030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction is characterised by abnormal apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the roles of clusterin (CLU) in testicular damage associated with diabetes pathogenesis, as well as the molecular mechanism. A rat diabetes model was established using streptozocin, and the mouse spermatogenic cell line GC-1 spg was treated with high glucose as a cellular model. CLU was overexpressed in GC-1 spg cells, followed by detection of serum testosterone, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and autophagy. RESULTS CLU expression was significantly reduced and LC3 expression was elevated in testis tissues in the rat diabetes model and high glucose-treated GC-1 spg cells. High glucose led to suppressed viability, enhanced apoptosis, reduced Bcl-2 expression, elevated Bax expression and cleavage of Caspase-3/-9 in GC-1 spg cells, and these effects were abrogated by CLU overexpression. Additionally, CLU overexpression repressed LC3 and Beclin-1 expression, reduced the LC3II/LC3I ratio and promoted p62 expression in GC-1 spg cells in the presence of high glucose, and these effects were all mitigated by rapamycin treatment. Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling with LY294002 activated autophagy in CLU-overexpressing GC-1 spg cells under high glucose conditions. CLU overexpression repressed autophagy and alleviated testicular damage in diabetic rats, which was also abrogated by LY294002 treatment. CONCLUSIONS CLU expression is suppressed during diabetes-induced testicular damage, whereas CLU overexpression alleviates diabetes-induced testicular damage by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling to inhibit autophagy and further repress spermatogenic cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.,Department of Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Yue-Hai Xiao
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Tian Geng
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Chao Sun
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Jiang Gu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.,Department of Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Kai-Fa Tang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.,Department of Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Bei Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China
| | - Yi-Meng Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China
| | - Fa Sun
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, China.,Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, 550002, China
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Wang J, Zhu H, Wang K, Yang Z, Liu Z. Protective effect of quercetin on rat testes against cadmium toxicity by alleviating oxidative stress and autophagy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:25278-25286. [PMID: 32347499 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08947-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), a highly toxic heavy metal, adversely affects human and animal health. Quercetin (Que) is a kind of flavonoid that can protect many tissues from the toxic effect of heavy metals. Although many studies have explored the adverse effects of cadmium on rats and other animals, the mechanism of Cd-induced testicular autophagy and the antagonistic effect of Que on cadmium remain unclear. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with Cd, Que or Cd, and Que supplements to explore the mechanisms of Que-alleviated testis injury caused by Cd exposure. The rat body weight and relative testicular weight were measured. Morphological changes in testes and indices of oxidative stress were also examined. The expression levels of autophagy-related genes were detected as well. Results showed that Cd decreased the rat body weight and relative testicular weight and induced pathological changes in testes. Conversely, Que alleviated these changes. We also found that Cd increased the malondialdehyde content and decreased the contents of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione. Moreover, the protein expression levels of P62 and LC3-II increased under Cd exposure conditions. Conversely, Que obviously alleviated these toxic activities induced by Cd. Overall, this study showed that Cd accumulated in rat testes, leading to oxidative stress and autophagy. Que can reduce cadmium toxicity by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting autophagy. The specific mechanism of Que antagonizing Cd toxicity can provide new insights into countering cadmium toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, Luoyang, 471023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Huali Zhu
- Law hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, Luoyang, 471023, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, Luoyang, 471023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijun Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263, Kaiyuan Avenue, Luoyang, 471023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, No.12, East Wenhui Road, Yangzhou, 225009, People's Republic of China
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Shen Y, He D, He L, Bai Y, Wang B, Xue Y, Hou G. Chronic Psychological Stress, but Not Chronic Pain Stress, Influences Sexual Motivation and Induces Testicular Autophagy in Male Rats. Front Psychol 2020; 11:826. [PMID: 32425863 PMCID: PMC7203493 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermiogenesis is an important physiological process of mammalian fertilization. The germ cells are susceptible to the harmful effects of either psychological or physiological stress, which could induce male infertility. Our previous studies have found that chronic psychological stress could decrease sexual motivation. However, molecular mechanisms underlying male reproductive toxicity induced by chronic stress remain elusive. Recently, autophagy is proven to be involved in regulating the survival of germ cells, which is related to apoptosis. Herein, we established a chronic psychological stress model and a chronic pain model (physiological stressor) to explore the roles of autophagy in germ cells. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group, the chronic psychological stress group, the SNI-sham group, and the chronic pain stress group. After exposure to stress for 35 days, open field test and the unconditioned sexual motivation test were performed. Following the behavioral experiment, autophagy in the rat testis was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. We found both chronic psychological stress and chronic pain stress reduced total travel distance, the frequency of central crossing and increased the sensitivity to mechanical pain. While chronic psychological stress, but not the chronic pain stress declined sexual motivation. Chronic psychological stress prompt the expression of LC3-II with the decreased expression of p62, indicating that chronic psychological stress induced autophagy in rat testis. However, there was no significant difference between the expression of LC3-II and p62 in male rats under chronic pain stress. Therefore, chronic psychological stress and chronic pain stress have common behavior changes, but due to its unpredictability, chronic psychological stress leads to a decline in sexual motivation in male rats and induced the autophagy in testicular tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunyun Shen
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Danni He
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luhong He
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Bai
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bo Wang
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gonglin Hou
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, College of Science, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
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25
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Oladele JO, Oyeleke OM, Oladele OT, Babatope OD, Awosanya OO. Nitrobenzene-induced hormonal disruption, alteration of steroidogenic pathway, and oxidative damage in rat: protective effects of Vernonia amygdalina. CLINICAL PHYTOSCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s40816-020-00161-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Infertility is a global health burden which affect more than 15% of couples’ population. An impaired hormonal balance, oxidative stress and alteration in the physiological function of the reproductive organ are factors leading to infertility. The present study investigated the protective role of methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLVA) against Nitrobenzene-induced oxidative testicular damage and hormonal imbalance in rats. Thirty sexually active male wistar rats were sorted into five groups, each group containing six rats. Group I received distilled water while 100 mg/kg bw of Nitrobenzene was administered to groups (II, III, IV and V) to induce testicular damage and hormonal imbalance. Group III and IV were treated with oral administration of 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of MLVA respectively and group V with vitamin E for 14 days.
Results
Nitrobenzene-treated rats showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the body weight gain, testis and epididymis weights. However, upon administration of MLVA or vitamin E, these changes were significantly reversed in Nitrobenzene-treated rats. Also, Nitrobenzene significantly (P˂0.05) induced endocrine disruption as shown by decreased activities level of serum Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), and tetraiodothyronine (T4). Administration of Nitrobenzene also induced oxidative damage as shown by increased level of testicular lipid peroxidation (MDA), and decreased levels of glutathione (GSH). Histological studies of the testes revealed mild congestion of interstitial vessels and oedema in rats administered Nitrobenzene only.
Conclusion
Taken together, MLVA obliterated the adverse effects of Nitrobenzene on the antioxidant enzymes, markers of testicular oxidative damage, endocrine and testicular structure in rats.
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26
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Subacute Testicular Toxicity to Cadmium Exposure Intraperitoneally and Orally. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:3429635. [PMID: 31885783 PMCID: PMC6899267 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3429635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) on reproductive parameters are widely described in the literature. Experimental models often make use of the intraperitoneal route (i.p.), although human intoxication occurs preferentially by the oral route and can be continuous. However, little is known about the effect of Cd administration routes on the testicular structure. Thus, this study investigated the testicular impact of Cd exposure comparing both i.p. and oral routes, both single dose (SD), in addition to the oral route in fractional doses (FD). Swiss adult male mice received CdCl2 1.5 mg/kg i.p., 30 mg/kg oral SD, and 4.28 mg/kg oral FD for 7 consecutive days. The Cd bioaccumulation was observed in all routes, mainly in the oral FD route. The concentrations of testicular Ca and Cu decreased in all animals exposed to Cd, while Zn and Mn decreased only in the i.p. route. Testicular SOD activity was reduced in both routes of oral administration, while CAT increased in the i.p. route, and GST increased in all animals exposed to Cd. Changes in the tubular parameters and cell viability were observed in both routes of Cd administration but were more intense in the oral route, mainly in the FD. Serum testosterone concentration was reduced in both routes of oral administration. Tubular damage, such as the vacuolization of the seminiferous epithelium, germ cell detachment, and seminiferous tubule degeneration, occurred in all groups exposed to Cd. Therefore, the oral Cd administration presented greater potential to promote testicular damage, mainly when the metal was given in a fractionated way.
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27
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Liu R, Jia T, Cui Y, Lin H, Li S. The Protective Effect of Selenium on the Chicken Pancreas against Cadmium Toxicity via Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Autophagy. Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 184:240-246. [PMID: 28994040 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-017-1186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can affect human and animal health. Selenium (Se) is an essential microelement that can protect various organs against toxic heavy metals. Although many studies have investigated the adverse effect of Cd in rats and several other animals, little is known regarding the mechanisms of Cd-induced autophagy in the chicken pancreas and the antagonistic effect of Se on Cd. In the current study, we fed chickens Se, Cd, or Se and Cd supplements to establish the Se and Cd interaction model and to measure the concentrations of Se and Cd in the chicken pancreas. The ultrastructure changes of the chicken pancreas were also observed, and we detected oxidative stress indexes in each group. The expression levels of autophagy-related genes were also examined. We found that Cd exposure could increase the concentration of Cd, the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px); and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) content in the chicken pancreas. The protein expression levels of dynein, Beclin1, LC3-1, LC3-2, and Atg5 were increased and that of TOR was decreased under Cd exposure conditions. However, the changes induced by Cd were significantly alleviated by Se. This study suggested that Cd could accumulate in the chicken pancreas and lead to oxidative stress and autophagy. Se was shown to antagonize Cd toxicity though reducing Cd accumulation, alleviating oxidative stress, and inhibiting autophagy. This study revealed a concrete mechanism for the Se antagonism of Cd and might provide a new clue for the detoxification of Cd poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruohan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiantian Jia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjin Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, People's Republic of China.
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Antagonistic effects of lycopene on cadmium-induced hippocampal dysfunctions in autophagy, calcium homeostatis and redox. Oncotarget 2018; 8:44720-44731. [PMID: 28615536 PMCID: PMC5546513 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), a widely existed environmental contaminant, was shown to trigger neurotoxicity by regulating autophagy, ion homeostasis and redox. Lycopene (LYC) is a natural substance with potent antioxidant capacity. Nevertheless, little is known about i) the relationship of Cd-induced neurotoxicity and autophagy, ion homeostasis as well as redox in the hippocampus; ii) the role of LYC in the regulation of hippocampal autophagy, ionic balance and antioxidant capacity during Cd exposure. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the Cd exposure-induced hippocampal dysfunctions for neurotoxicity, and the preventive potential of LYC on the hippocampus impairment by reversing the dysfunctions during the exposure. In vivo study with mice model demonstrated that Cd exposure increased gene expression of a wide spectrum of autophagy-related gene (ATG) and gene regulating autophagy in hippocampus. This suggests the activation of hippocampal autophagy mediated by Cd. Cd exposure also decreased Ca2+-ATPase activity, thus increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration in hippocampus, indicating the possibility that Cd-induced autophagy requires the Ca2+ signaling. Moreover, Cd exposure triggered redox stress in hippocampus cells, as antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased while oxidative productions were promoted. Cd exposure led to severe cytotoxicity in hippocampus cells. Of important note, all the hippocampal dysfunctions upon Cd exposure were reversed by LYC treatment to normal situations, and exposure-induced neurotoxicity was abrogated. The in vivo findings were recapitulated relevantly in the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line, TH22. In all, the above data imply that LYC could be a potent therapeutic agent in treating Cd-triggered hippocampal dysfunctions and subsequent cell damage.
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29
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Zhao LL, Ru YF, Liu M, Tang JN, Zheng JF, Wu B, Gu YH, Shi HJ. Reproductive effects of cadmium on sperm function and early embryonic development in vitro. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186727. [PMID: 29095856 PMCID: PMC5667747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium is a major environmental toxicant that is released into the atmosphere, water and soil in the form of cadmium oxide, cadmium chloride, or cadmium sulfide via industrial activities, such as the manufacturing of batteries and pigments, metal smelting and refining and municipal waste incineration. In the present study, we investigated the effects of cadmium exposure on sperm quality parameters, fertilization capacity and early embryonic development. Our study showed that in vitro incubation of human or mouse sperms with cadmium for a long time (up to 24 hours) could significantly decreased sperm motility in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Exposure to cadmium in the environment for a short term (30 min) did not affect sperm motility but significantly reduced in vitro fertilization rate. We also evaluated the effects of cadmium at concentrations of 0.625 μg/ml, and 1.25 μg/ml on early embryonic development in vitro and observed that the blastocyst formation rate dramatically decreased with increasing cadmium concentration. This finding emphasizes the hazardous effects of cadmium on sperm quality as well as on natural embryo development and raises greater concerns regarding cadmium pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Lin Zhao
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Fei Ru
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Nan Tang
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju-Fen Zheng
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Wu
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Hua Gu
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui-Juan Shi
- Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC-Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research (SIPPR), Fudan University Reproduction and Development Institution, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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30
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Wang YJ, Yan J, Zou XL, Guo KJ, Zhao Y, Meng CY, Yin F, Guo L. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repair cadmium-induced rat testis injury by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 271:39-47. [PMID: 28457857 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cadmium is a highly toxic metal with widespread exposure to people that can cause tissue injuries that lack effective treatment. The aim of this project was to uncover whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can repair cadmium-induced rat testis injury and to explore the role of mitochondrial apoptosis in this process. To this end, 21 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model and therapy groups, 7 each, and were administered 0, 0.4 and 0.4 mg/kg body weight CdCl2 saline solution, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection 5 times per week for 5 weeks. Then, rats in the therapy group were treated with 107 BMSCs by retro-orbital injections, while the others were given equal volumes of phosphate buffered saline. Following 2-week BMSCs-treatment, the therapy rats were heavier than the model rats, despite there being no difference in testicular cadmium contents between these groups, which were both significantly higher than the control group. BMSCs were observed in the testis of the therapy rats, in which pathological changes improved significantly compared with the model group. Expression of the apoptosis-associated proteins Bim, Bax, Cytochrome C, Caspase-3, active-Caspase-3 and AIF increased, while Bcl-2 was reduced significantly in rat testes of model group compared with the other groups. Based on these findings, we conclude that cadmium can accumulate in rat testes where it caused severe tissue injury, BMSCs can be localized to the injured testicular tissue of rats and repair the tissue injury, these reparative effects may be highly related with mitochondrial apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Jie Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiao-Li Zou
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ke-Jun Guo
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chun-Yang Meng
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Li Guo
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Zhang YY, Gong JP, Li ZM. Autophagy and hepatic lipid metabolism. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2017; 25:491-497. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v25.i6.491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is initially thought to be a non-selective process in which intracellular proteins or damaged organelles are degraded. It is activated when cells lack nutrients and energy. Autophagy degrades cytoplasmic components within lysosomes and reuses the energy of amino acids to promote cell survival and maintain the cytoplasmic content. Current evidence implicates autophagy in the regulation of lipid stores within the two main organs involved in maintaining lipid homeostasis, the liver and adipose tissue. Upregulation of autophagy may lead to conversion of white adipose tissue into brown adipose tissue, thus regulating energy expenditure and obesity. Discovering new therapeutic interventions to treat lipid and lipoprotein disorders is of great interest and the discovery of autophagy as a regulator of lipid metabolism has opened up a new avenue for this area. In the liver, autophagy can play a role in some common metabolic disorders, which needs further research.
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