1
|
Jalili C, Ranjbar Shamsi R, Amiri B, Kakebaraie S, Jalili F, Nasta TZ. Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of aflatoxin on the reproductive system: Focus on cell cycle dynamics and apoptosis in testicular tissue. Toxicology 2024; 504:153773. [PMID: 38484789 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Aflatoxins (AFs) are inevitable environmental contaminants that are detrimental to human and animal health. AFs interfere with metabolic processes, metabolizing into different hydroxylated derivatives in the liver, as well as mechanistically induce ROS accumulation, S-phase arrest, DNA damage, and cell apoptosis. Chronic consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foods can adversely affect the male reproductive system, cause testicular damage, prevent testosterone synthesis, decline sperm quality, and cause infertility. Oxidative stress is the fundamental pathogenesis of aflatoxin-induced reproductive toxicity. The overproduction of reactive oxygen substances can cause testicular failure and disturb the process of spermatogenesis. Mitochondria are susceptible to being impaired by oxidative stress, and its damage is associated with infertility. AFs also disturb the process of spermatogenesis by disrupting the regulation of genes related to the progression of the cell cycle such as cyclins and inducing genes related to apoptosis, thereby weakening fertility and negatively affecting the testicular endocrine potential by suppressing androgen synthesis. Additionally, AFs downregulate ERα expression, potentially negatively impacting spermatogenesis by enhancing the apoptotic mechanism. In this review, we provide new insights into the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of AFB1 on the male reproductive system with a focus on the cell cycle and apoptosis destruction of testicular tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cyrus Jalili
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Rahele Ranjbar Shamsi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Bita Amiri
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Seyran Kakebaraie
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Faramarz Jalili
- School of Health Administration, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Touraj Zamir Nasta
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miyaso H, Yokota S, Suga K, Hashimoto Y, Kouno C, Nagahori K, Itoh M, Kitajima S. Histological differences between the central and peripheral areas of the testes of busulfan-administered mice. J Toxicol Sci 2024; 49:139-149. [PMID: 38556351 DOI: 10.2131/jts.49.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Busulfan is an anticancer drug known to cause serious damage to seminiferous tubules in the testes and deplete germ cells in human and animal models. The testicular artery is anastomosed with deferential and cremasteric arteries and is divided into capsular arteries, which give rise to the centripetal arteries and then recurrent arteries. The arterial blood in the testicular tissue is supplied by such a consequent system of arterial vessels, in order from the peripheral to the central area. As anticancer drugs are generally distributed throughout the whole body via the bloodstream and the running and distribution of arteries differ among the testicular areas, we hypothesized that the efficacy of busulfan differs in different testicular areas, particularly between the central and peripheral areas. In this study, busulfan was intraperitoneally injected at 40 mg/kg body weight into C57BL/6J male mice. After 28 days, in busulfan-treated mice, the diameters of seminiferous tubules were significantly higher in the central than in the peripheral area of the testes. The seminiferous tubular areas also significantly decreased in the peripheral areas compared with the central areas. The number of germ cells per seminiferous tubule was significantly higher in the central than in the peripheral area. Sertoli cell nuclei were detached into the lumen in the peripheral area. The number of Leydig cells was significantly lower in the peripheral areas. These data suggest that the effects of busulfan differ between the central and peripheral areas of the testis at 4 weeks after busulfan administration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hidenobu Miyaso
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University
| | - Satoshi Yokota
- Division of Cellular & Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety & Research, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Kousuke Suga
- Division of Cellular & Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety & Research, National Institute of Health Sciences
| | - Yui Hashimoto
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing at Narita, International University of Health and Welfare
| | - Céline Kouno
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing at Narita, International University of Health and Welfare
| | - Kenta Nagahori
- Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Medical University
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Basic Medical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine
| | | | - Satoshi Kitajima
- Division of Cellular & Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety & Research, National Institute of Health Sciences
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu J, Huang J, Gao L, Sang Y, Li X, Zhou G, Cao L, Lu H, Zhou X, Ren L. Maternal exposure to PM 2.5 disrupting offspring spermatogenesis through induced sertoli cells apoptosis via inhibin B hypermethylation in mice. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2022; 241:113760. [PMID: 35709672 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) disrupts endocrine functions and may negatively affect sperm quality and quantity in males; however, the long-term effects and potential mechanisms of this effect are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the epigenetic mechanism of maternal exposure to PM2.5-induced inhibin B hypermethylation in male offspring. In this experiment design, pregnant C57BL/6 mice were treated with two doses of PM2.5 (4.8 and 43.2 mg/kg bw). The membrane control group was given a sampling membrane and the control group received nothing. Following the formation of the vaginal plug, intratracheal instillation of PM2.5 was administered every three days until delivery of the pups. To assess the effect of PM2.5 in vitro, TM4 cells, a Sertoli-like cell line, was treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100 μg/mL) of PM2.5 for 24 h. The results displayed that Sperm motility, as well as the number of adult offspring, was decreased in the PM2.5 exposed group relative to the untreated controls. Increased vacuolization was observed in the Sertoli cells of mice that were exposed to PM2.5 in utero. The levels of inhibin and testosterone were reduced and the levels of LH and FSH increased in the PM2.5 groups relative to the untreated controls. In vitro, PM2.5 resulted in cell cycle inhibition as well as increased apoptosis in TM4 cells. Moreover, PM2.5-induced inhibin B hypermethylation and activation of the p21/Cleaved Caspase-3 pathway resulted in TM4 cell apoptosis that was rescued through the use of a DNA methylation inhibitor. Together, our data suggest that prenatal exposure to PM2.5 results in inhibin B hypermethylation and can activate the p21/Cleaved Caspase-3 pathway, resulting in Sertoli cell apoptosis, aberrant secretion of androgen binding protein, and decreased testosterone, thus resulting in the inhibition of spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhui Liu
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Leqiang Gao
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yujian Sang
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiangyang Li
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Guiqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Linlin Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), China
| | - Hong Lu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xianqing Zhou
- Department of Toxicology and Hygienic Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| | - Lihua Ren
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo H, Ouyang Y, Yin H, Cui H, Deng H, Liu H, Jian Z, Fang J, Zuo Z, Wang X, Zhao L, Zhu Y, Geng Y, Ouyang P. Induction of autophagy via the ROS-dependent AMPK-mTOR pathway protects copper-induced spermatogenesis disorder. Redox Biol 2022; 49:102227. [PMID: 34979450 PMCID: PMC8728583 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper (Cu) is a necessary micronutrient at lower concentration, while excessive Cu exposure or Cu homeostasis disorders can lead to toxicity. The mechanism of male reproductive toxicity induced by Cu is still unknown. This study aims to investigate whether autophagy plays an important role in copper-induced spermatogenesis disorder in vivo and vitro. The present study showed that copper sulfate (CuSO4) might significantly promote autophagy level in the testis and mouse-derived spermatogonia cell line GC-1 spg cells. Concurrently, CuSO4 could induce autophagy via AMPK-mTOR pathway that downregulated p-mTOR/mTOR and subsequently upregulated p-AMPKα/AMPKα as well as p-ULK1/ULK1. In the meanwhile, CuSO4 treatment could also increase expression levels of the autophagy-related proteins. Then, the role of oxidative stress in CuSO4-induced autophagy was investigated. The findings demonstrated that oxidative stress inhibitor (NAC) attenuated CuSO4-induced autophagy in vivo and vitro, reversing the activation for AMPK-mTOR pathway. Additionally, the study also investigated how autophagy worked under the spermatogenesis disorder induced by CuSO4. Inhibition of autophagy could decrease cell viability, and enhance the ROS accumulation and apoptosis in the GC-1 cells, meanwhile, the spermatogenesis disorder, oxidative stress and histopathological changes were increased in the testis. Furthermore, co-treatment with the apoptosis inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) could decrease the spermatogenesis disorder but not influence autophagy. Besides, the crosslink between autophagy and ferroptosis were also measured, the data showed that inhibition of autophagy could suppress CuSO4-induced ferroptosis in in vivo and vitro. Altogether, abovementioned results indicated that CuSO4 induced autophagy via oxidative stress-dependent AMPK-mTOR pathway in the GC-1 cells and testis, and autophagy activation possibly led to the generation of protection mechanism through oxidative damage and apoptosis inhibition, however, autophagy also aggravate CuSO4 toxicology through promoting ferroptosis. Overall, autophagy plays a positive role for attenuating CuSO4-induced testicular damage and spermatogenesis disorder. Our study provides a possible targeted therapy for Cu overload-induced reproduction toxicology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yujuan Ouyang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Heng Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Hengmin Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Information Engineering of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Yaan, Sichuan, 625014, China.
| | - Huidan Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China.
| | - Huan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Zhijie Jian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Jing Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Zhicai Zuo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Xun Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Environmental Hazards of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agriculture University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yanqiu Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Yi Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| | - Ping Ouyang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Wenjiang, Chengdu, 611130, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen WQ, Wang B, Ding CF, Wan LY, Hu HM, Lv BD, Ma JX. In vivo and in vitro protective effects of the Wuzi Yanzong pill against experimental spermatogenesis disorder by promoting germ cell proliferation and suppressing apoptosis. J Ethnopharmacol 2021; 280:114443. [PMID: 34302943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wuzi Yanzong pill (WZYZP) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula originated from the Tang dynasty. WZYZP has a long history of use for reinforcing kidney and alleviating male infertility in China. AIM OF THE STUDY The effect of WZYZP on male infertility and the mechanism underlying this effect was not clarified clearly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of WZYZP in experimental spermatogenesis disorder via in vivo and in vitro studies, to promote the use of this formula for the treatment of spermatogenesis disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male SD rats were exposed to tripterygium glycosides to induce experimental spermatogenesis disorder, and WZYZP was subsequently administrated at different dosages for treatment. Sperm counts, sperm motility, and serum hormone levels were detected. HE staining and TUNEL staining were performed to evaluate the pathological lesions and apoptosis of testes, respectively. Next, germ cells were isolated from spermatogenesis disorder-model rats and treated with WZYZP- containing serum at different concentrations. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry assay were performed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Immunofluorescence assay, qRT-PCR and Western blotting analyses were performed to detect the expression of Beclin 1, LC3 and TGF-β-PI3k/AKT-mTOR pathway - related factors, including TGF-β, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, 4 EBP-1 and p70S6K. RESULTS In vivo experiments showed that WZYZP protected against spermatogenesis disorder in model rats by improving sperm count and motility, as well as restoring serum hormone levels. HE and TUNEL staining demonstrated that the pathological injuries and cell apoptosis in testes of the model rats were alleviated by WZYZP treatment. Moreover, in vitro experiments of germ cells isolated from spermatogenesis disorder-model rats showed that WZYZP treatment increased the cell proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis and autophagy. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assay results showed that this protective effect was associated with the regulation of the TGF-β/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR, 4 EBP-1 and p70S6K were increased, while TGF-β was inhibited in the WZYZP treated groups. CONCLUSION The results showed that WZYZP could protect against experimental spermatogenesis disorder by increasing the germ cell proliferation and inhibiting their apoptosis. Our support the clinical use of this formula for the management of spermatogenesis disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang-Qian Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Andrology, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100007, China
| | - Cai-Fei Ding
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ling-Yi Wan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Hui-Min Hu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Bo-Dong Lv
- Department of Urology Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Zhejiang 310009, China.
| | - Jian-Xiong Ma
- Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China; The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang W, Cao Z, Yao Q, Ji Q, Zhang J, Li Y. Mitochondrial damage are involved in Aflatoxin B 1-induced testicular damage and spermatogenesis disorder in mice. Sci Total Environ 2020; 701:135077. [PMID: 31733399 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is an unavoidable environmental pollutants, which seriously endangers human and animal health. AFB1 has male reproductive toxicity, yet the underlying mechanisms remain inconclusive. Mitochondra are a kind of crucial organelle for maintaining spermatogenesis in testis. Thus, we hypothesized that AFB1 can impair mitochondria to aggravate testicular damage and spermatogenesis disorder. To verify this hypothesis, 48 male mice were intragastrically administered with 0, 0.375, 0.75 or 1.5 mg/kg body weight AFB1 for 30 days, respectively. In this study, we found AFB1 caused testicular histopathological lesions and spermatogenesis abnormalities, with the elevation of oxidative stress (increased H2O2, whereas decreased SOD and GSH). Significant mitochondria structure damage of germ cells and Leydig cells, MMP loss, ATP contents reduction, and inhibited activities of mitochondrial complexes I-IV in mice testis were found in AFB1 treatment groups. Besides, AFB1 inhibited mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics, presenting as the decreased mRNA and protein expressions of PGC-1α, Nrf1, Tfam, Drp1, Fis1, Mfn1 and Opa1. The results revealed that the mitochondrial damage were involved in AFB1-induced testicular damage and spermatogenesis disorder, providing a considerable direction to clarify potential mechanisms of AFB1 reproductive toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wanyue Huang
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Qiucheng Yao
- College of Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524000, China
| | - Qiang Ji
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
| |
Collapse
|