Effects of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release

The microRNA miR-152 can mitigate and prevent the toxic effect of benzene on porcine ovarian cells

Epigenetic methods to prevent the reproductive toxicity of oil-related environmental contaminants are currently unavailable. The present study aimed to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to mitigate the effects of benzene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without benzene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml). The expression of miR-152; viability; proliferation (cell proliferation and expression of mRNAs and accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1); apoptosis (expression of mRNAs and accumulation of bax and caspase 3; and the proportion of cells with fragmented DNA); and release of progesterone, estradiol and IGF-I were analyzed via RT-qPCR; the Trypan blue exclusion test; quantitative immunocytochemistry; BrdU; XTT; TUNEL assays; and ELISA. Administration of benzene promoted the expression of apoptosis markers and reduced cell viability, all measured markers of proliferation, the release of steroid hormones and IGF-I. Overexpression of miR-152 was associated with increased cell viability, proliferation, progesterone and IGF-I release and reduced apoptosis and estradiol output. Moreover, miR-152 mitigated or prevented the effects of benzene on all the measured parameters in addition to estradiol release. The present observations suggest the toxic effect of benzene and the stimulatory influence of miR-152 on ovarian cell functions. Moreover, this is the first demonstration of the ability of miRNAs to mitigate and prevent the reproductive toxicity of benzene.

Characterization and Comparative Analysis of Whole-Transcriptome Sequencing in High- and Low-Fecundity Chongming White Goat Ovaries during the Estrus Phase

Reproductive performance is one of the most important economic traits in the goat industry. Increasing the number of goats is an effective measure to improve production efficiency and reduce production costs. Ovaries are important reproductive organs in female mammals that directly affect the estrous cycle and reproductive abilities. Understanding the complex transcription network of non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs, circRNAs, and miRNAs) and messenger RNA (mRNA) could lead to significant insights into the ovarian regulation of the reproductive processes of animals. However, the whole-transcriptome analysis of the non-coding RNAs and mRNA of the ovaries in Chongming white goats between high-fecundity (HP) and low-fecundity (LP) groups is limited. In this study, a whole-transcriptome sequencing approach was used to identify lncRNA, circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression in the ovaries of Chongming white goats during the estrus phase using RNA-Seq technology. More than 20,000 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), 10,000 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), 3500 circular RNAs (circRNAs), and 1000 micro RNAs (miRNAs) were identified. A total of 1024 differential transcripts (724 mRNAs, 112 lncRNAs, 178 circRNAs, and 10 miRNAs) existing between the HP and the LP groups were revealed through a bioinformatics analysis. They were enriched in the prolactin signaling pathway, the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, and the GnRH signaling pathway, as well as various metabolic pathways. Differentially expressed mRNAs (such as LYPD6, VEGFA, NOS3, TNXB, and EPHA2) and miRNAs (such as miR-10a-5p) play key roles in the regulation of goat ovaries during the estrus phase. The enrichment of pathways related to reproduction, such as the Hippo, Hedgehog, PI3K-AKT, and MAPK signaling pathways, suggests that they might be involved in the prolificacy of goat ovaries. Overall, we identified several gene modules associated with goat fecundity and provided a basis for a molecular mechanism in the ovaries of Chongming white goats.

Fennel affects porcine ovarian cell functions: The interrelationships with the environmental contaminant benzene

The objective of this study was to examine the direct effects of the medicinal plant fennel on basic functions of ovarian cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, and release of progesterone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI), as well as to prevent the influence of the environmental contaminant benzene on these cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without fennel extract alone or in combination with benzene. The expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the apoptosis marker bax was analyzed by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fennel was able to promote proliferation and IGF-I release, but to suppress apoptosis and progesterone release. Benzene promoted the accumulation of both the proliferation and apoptosis markers, as well as IGF-I release, but it inhibited progesterone secretion. The presence of fennel did not prevent the effects of benzene on any of the measured parameters, while benzene prevented the effects of fennel on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and IGF-I but not progesterone output. These observations demonstrate the direct influence of fennel and benzene on basic ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, they show the inability of fennel to prevent the effects of benzene on these cells. On the other hand, the environmental contaminant benzene can block the response of ovarian cells to the medicinal plant fennel.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and its constituent quercetin can suppress ovarian cell functions and their response to FSH

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis Brum. f) can directly influence female reproduction, but whether rooibos can influence the response of ovarian cells to FSH and whether the rooibos effects are due to the presence of quercetin remain unknown. We compared the influence of rooibos extract and quercetin (both at 10 µg/ml-1) on porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured with and without FSH (0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml-1). The expression of intracellular proliferation (PCNA, cyclin B1) and apoptosis (bax, caspase 3) markers in the cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. The release of progesterone (P), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E) were evaluated with ELISAs. Administration of both rooibos and quercetin reduced the accumulation of proliferation markers and promoted the accumulation of apoptosis markers and the release of T and E. Rooibos stimulated, but quercetin inhibited, P output. Administration of FSH increased the accumulation of proliferation markers, decreased the accumulation of apoptosis markers, promoted the release of P and T, and had a biphasic effect on E output. The addition of both rooibos and quercetin mitigated or prevented the main effects of FSH. The present observations suggest a direct influence of both rooibos and quercetin on basic ovarian functions - proliferation, apoptosis, steroidogenesis and response to FSH. The similarity in the major effects of rooibos and its constituent quercetin indicates that quercetin could be the molecule responsible for the main rooibos effects on the ovary. The potential anti-reproductive effects of rooibos and rooibos constituent quercetin, should be taken into account in animal and human nutrition.

Quercetin can affect porcine ovarian cell functions and to mitigate some of the effects of the environmental contaminant toluene

The present in vitro experiments aimed to examine the effects of the plant polyphenol quercetin and the environmental contaminant toluene on basic ovarian cell functions, including the ability of quercetin to be a natural protector against the adverse effects of toluene. The influence of toluene, quercetin, and their combination on proliferation (accumulation of PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of bax) and release of progesterone, testosterone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI) by cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells was investigated. Toluene stimulated cell proliferation and inhibited progesterone, IGF-I and testosterone release but did not affect apoptosis. Quercetin, when administered alone, inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis, IGF-I and testosterone release and stimulated progesterone output. When administered in combination with toluene, quercetin mitigated toluene's effects on proliferation and on progesterone release and induced toluene to exhibit a pro-apoptotic effect. These observations demonstrate the direct effects of both quercetin and toluene on basic ovarian functions and a protective effect of quercetin against the effects of toluene. Therefore, quercetin-containing plants could be regulators of porcine reproduction and natural protectors against the adverse effects of the environmental contaminant toluene.

Plant isoflavones can affect accumulation and impact of silver and titania nanoparticles on ovarian cells

Objectives. The application of nanoparticles is experiencing a rapid growth, but it faces a problem of their toxicity, especially adverse effects on female reproduction. Food and medicinal plants and their isoflavones can be protectors against environmental stressors, but their ability to abate the adverse effects of nanoparticles has not been studied yet. In the present study, we examined the effect of silver (AgNPs) and titanium dioxide (titania, TiO2NPs) nanoparticles alone or in combination with plant phytoestrogens/antioxidants (resveratrol, diosgenin, and quercetin) on accumulation of nanoparticles, and progesterone release by cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells.Methods. Porcine granulosa cells were incubated in the presence of AgNPs or TiO2NPs (0.1, 1, 10 or 100 µg/ml) alone or in combination with resveratrol, diosgenin or quercetin (10 µg/ml) for 48 h. The accumulation of tested nanoparticles by granulosa cells was assessed under light microscope. Progesterone concentration in culture media was measured by ELISA kit.Results. Cells accumulated both AgNPs and TiO2NPs in a dose-dependent manner. AgNPs, but not TiO2NPs, at highest dose (100 µg/ml) resulted in a destruction of cell monolayer. Both Ag-NPs and TiO2NPs reduced progesterone release. Resveratrol, diosgenin, and quercetin promoted accumulation of both AgNPs and TiO2NPs in ovarian cells and inhibited the progesterone output. Furthermore, resveratrol and diosgenin, but not quercetin, prevented the suppressive action of both AgNPs, and TiO2NPs on progesterone release.Conclusions. These observations (1) demonstrate accumulation of AgNPs and TiO2NPs in ovarian cells, (2) confirm the toxic impact of AgNPs, and TiO2NPs on these cells, (3) confirm the inhibitory effects of plant polyphenols/phytoestrogens on ovarian steroidogenesis, (4) show the ability of these isoflavones to increase the accumulation of AgNPs and TiO2NPs, and (5) show their ability to reduce the suppressive effect of AgNPs and TiO2NPs on ovarian progesterone release. The suppressive effect of AgNPs and TiO2NPs on ovarian functions should be taken into account by their exposition. However, these adverse effects could be mitigated by some plant isoflavones.

Effects of benzene on gilts ovarian cell functions alone and in combination with buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex

We aimed to examine the influence of benzene and of three dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) plant extracts-buckwheat (Fagopyrum Esculentum), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), and vitex, (Vitex Agnus-Castus), and the combination of benzene with these three plant extracts on basic ovarian cell functions. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of benzene (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL) with and without these three plant additives on porcine ovarian granulosa cells cultured during 2 days with and without these additives. Cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein , bax), and the release of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Benzene reduced cell viability, as well as P and E release. Plant extracts, given alone, were able directly promote or suppress ovarian cell functions. Furthermore, buckwheat and rooibos, but not vitex prevented the inhibitory action of benzene on cell viability. Buckwheat induced the stimulatory action of benzene on proliferation. Rooibos and vitex promoted benzene effect on cell apoptosis. All these plant additives were able to promote suppressive action of benzene on ovarian steroidogenesis.These observations show that benzene may directly suppress ovarian cell viability, P, and E release and that buckwheat, rooibos, and vitex can directly influence ovarian cell functions and modify the effects of benzene-prevent toxic influence of benzene on cell viability and induce stimulatory action of benzene on ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and steroidogenesis. The observed direct effects of benzene and these plants on ovarian cells functions, as well as the functional interrelationships of benzene and these plants, should be taken into account in their future applications.

Quercetin and MicroRNA Interplay in Apoptosis Regulation in Ovarian Cancer

The multifaceted nature of ovarian cancer has severely hampered the development of effective therapeutics over the years. The complicate nature of ovarian cancer makes it therapeutically challenging, therefore, there has been a renewed interest in phytochemistry. Phytochemicals have emerged as a potential therapeutic option due to less side effects. Moreover, the signaling inhibition properties have also been studied extensively in recent times. A growing number of data obtained via high-throughput technologies has started to delineate the complex oncogenic signaling networks, thus broadening the therapeutic opportunities. Within the network, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a versatile role in the regulation of cancer. Quercetin has been in the spotlight over the years because of its high pharmacological values and substantial evidence has demonstrated its anti-proliferative effect against various types of cancers. Despite the versatility of quercetin, little is known about its anti-proliferative potential towards ovarian cancer. This review sheds some light on quercetin as an alternative therapeutic approach to cancer. Furthermore, we also addresss the interplay between miRNAs and quercetin in the regulation of apoptosis in ovarian cancer.

Toxicological Study and Genetic Basis of BTEX Susceptibility in Drosophila melanogaster

Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene, also known as BTEX, are released into environmental media by petroleum product exploratory and exploitative activities and are harmful to humans and animals. Testing the effects of these chemicals on a significantly large scale requires an inexpensive, rapidly developing model organism such as Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, the toxicological profile of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, m-xylene, and o-xylene in D. melanogaster was evaluated. Adult animals were monitored for acute toxicity effects. Similarly, first instar larvae reared separately on the same compounds were monitored for the ability to develop into adult flies (eclosion). Further, the impact of fixed concentrations of benzene and xylene on apoptosis and mitosis were investigated in adult progenitor tissues found in third instar larvae. Toluene is the most toxic to adult flies with an LC₅₀ of 0.166 mM, while a significant and dose-dependent decrease in fly eclosion was observed with benzene, p-xylene, and o-xylene. An increase in apoptosis and mitosis was also observed in animals exposed to benzene and p-xylene. Through Genome Wide Association Screening (GWAS), 38 regions of the D. melanogaster genome were identified as critical for responses to p-xylene. This study reveals the strength of D. Melanogaster genetics as an accessible approach to study BTEX compounds.

Plant polyphenols can directly affect ovarian cell functions and modify toluene effects

The influence of toluene alone and in combination with plant polyphenols apigenin, daidzein or rutin on viability, proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen accumulation), apoptosis (Bax accumulation) and release of progesterone (P), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E) in cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells was evaluated. Toluene reduced ovarian cell viability, proliferation and E release; it promoted P release, demonstrating no effect on apoptosis or T output. Apigenin alone failed to affect cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis and P and T release, but stimulated E release, promoting the inhibitory action of toluene on proliferation, preventing and even reversing the stimulatory effect of toluene on apoptosis and P. Daidzein alone reduced cell viability and promoted T release, preventing and reversing the stimulatory effect of toluene on cell proliferation. Rutin administration reduced cell viability and E output, promoting the inhibitory action of toluene on cell viability and stimulatory effect on P release, and preventing the inhibitory action of toluene on E release. Toluene reduced apigenin- and rutin-induced E release, promoting action of daidzein on cell viability. These observations suggest the action of toluene and plant polyphenols on ovarian cell functions and the functional interrelationships between these molecules in the ovary.

Abatement of the Stimulatory Effect of Copper Nanoparticles Supported on Titania on Ovarian Cell Functions by Some Plants and Phytochemicals

The application of nanoparticles has experienced a vertiginous growth, but their interaction with food and medicinal plants in organisms, especially in the control of reproduction, remains unresolved. We examined the influence of copper nanoparticles supported on titania (CuNPs/TiO2), plant extracts (buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)), phytochemicals (rutin and apigenin), and their combination with CuNPs/TiO2 on ovarian cell functions, using cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax), and hormones release (progesterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol) were analyzed by the Trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and ELISA, respectively. CuNPs/TiO2 increased cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and testosterone but not progesterone release, and reduced the 17β-estradiol output. Plant extracts and components have similar stimulatory action on ovarian cell functions as CuNPs/TiO2, but abated the majority of the CuNPs/TiO2 effects. This study concludes that (1) CuNPs/TiO2 can directly stimulate ovarian cell functions, promoting ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, turnover, viability, and steroid hormones release; (2) the plants buckwheat and vitex, as well as rutin and apigenin, can promote some of these ovarian functions too; and (3) these plant additives mitigate the CuNPs/TiO2's activity, something that must be considered when applied together.

Plant isoflavones can prevent adverse effects of benzene on porcine ovarian activity: an in vitro study

We evaluated the influence of the oil-related environmental contaminant benzene (0, 10, 100, or 1000 ng/mL) alone and in combination with apigenin, daidzein, or rutin (10 μg/mL each) on viability; proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen); apoptosis (accumulation of Bax); and release of progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E) in cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability; proliferation; apoptosis; and release of P, T, and E have been analyzed by the trypan blue test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and ELISA, respectively. Benzene did not affect apoptosis, but reduced ovarian cell viability and P and E release, and promoted proliferation and T output. Apigenin did not affect cell viability, but stimulated proliferation and T and E release, and inhibited apoptosis and P secretion. It prevented and reversed the action of benzene on proliferation and P and T release, and induced the inhibitory action of benzene on apoptosis. Daidzein promoted cell viability, proliferation, P release, but not apoptosis and T or E release. Daidzein induced the stimulatory effect of benzene on T, without modifying other effects. Rutin administered alone reduced cell viability and apoptosis, and promoted cell proliferation. Furthermore, rutin prevented and reversed the effect of benzene on proliferation and P and E release. These observations suggest the direct action of benzene and plant polyphenols on basic ovarian cell functions, and the ability of apigenin and rutin, but not of daidzein, to prevent benzene effects on the ovary.