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Wang M, Wu Y, Li G, Xiong Y, Zhang Y, Zhang M. The hidden threat: Unraveling the impact of microplastics on reproductive health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173177. [PMID: 38750730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173177] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics, with intricate physical and chemical characteristics, infiltrate the food chain and extensively impact ecosystems. Despite acknowledging the link between environmental pollution and declining fertility, the specific mechanisms affecting reproductive health remain to be elucidated. This review emphasizes the global correlation between microplastics and subfertility, focusing on entry pathways and impacts on ecosystems. Research suggests that microplastics disrupt the neuroendocrine system, influencing sex hormone synthesis through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In the reproductive system, microplastics interfere with the blood-testis barrier, impairing spermatogenesis in males, and causing placental dysfunction, ovarian atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia, and fibrosis in females. Moreover, microplastics potentially affect offspring's lipid metabolism and reproductive functions. However, complex microplastic compositions and detection method limitations impede research progress. Mitigation strategies for reproductive effects, combined with addressing microplastic pollution through sustainable practices, are imperative. This review underscores the urgency of global initiatives and collaborative research to safeguard reproductive health amid escalating microplastic contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ying Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Guigui Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yao Xiong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Hubei Clinical Medicine Research Center of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Health, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health and Optimal Birth, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, PR China.
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Peng Y, He Q. Reproductive toxicity and related mechanisms of micro(nano)plastics in terrestrial mammals: Review of current evidence. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 279:116505. [PMID: 38810287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116505] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have been detected in various ecological environments and are widely used due to their stable properties, raising widespread concern about their potential human reproductive toxicity. Currently, infertility affects approximately 10-30% of couples of reproductive age globally. MNPs, as environmental pollutants, have been shown to exhibit reproductive toxicity through intrinsic mechanisms or as carriers of other hazardous substances. Numerous studies have established that MNPs of varying sizes and types can penetrate biological barriers, and enter tissues and even organelles of organisms through four main routes: dietary ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact, and medical interventions. However, historical research on the toxic effects of MNPs on reproduction mainly focused on lower and aquatic species. We conducted an inclusive review of studies involving terrestrial mammals, revealing that MNPs can induce reproductive toxicity via various mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, autophagy, disruption of intestinal flora, endocrine disruption, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and DNA damage. In terrestrial mammals, reproductive toxicity predominantly manifests as disruption in the blood-testis barrier (BTB), impaired spermatogenesis, sperm malformation, sperm DNA damage, reduced sperm fertilizing capacity, compromised oocyte maturation, impaired follicular growth, granulosa cell apoptosis, diminished ovarian reserve function, uterine and ovarian fibrosis, and endocrine disruption, among other effects. Furthermore, MNPs can traverse the maternal-fetal interface, potentially impacting offspring reproductive health. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of MNPs with different sizes, polymer types, shapes, and carried toxins, as well as to explore effective protective interventions for mitigating reproductive damage, further in-depth animal studies, clinical trials, and large-scale epidemiological studies are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Peng
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410008, China.
| | - Qi He
- Hunan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changsha 410008, China
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Zhang L, García-Pérez P, Muñoz-Palazon B, Gonzalez-Martinez A, Lucini L, Rodriguez-Sanchez A. A metabolomics perspective on the effect of environmental micro and nanoplastics on living organisms: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172915. [PMID: 38719035 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172915] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
The increasing trend regarding the use of plastics has arisen an exponential concern on the fate of their derived products to the environment. Among these derivatives, microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) have been featured for their associated environmental impact due to their low molecular size and high surface area, which has prompted their ubiquitous transference among all environmental interfaces. Due to the heterogenous chemical composition of MNPs, the study of these particles has focused a high number of studies, as a result of the myriad of associated physicochemical properties that contribute to the co-transference of a wide range of contaminants, thus becoming a major challenge for the scientific community. In this sense, both primary and secondary MNPs are well-known to be adscribed to industrial and urbanized areas, from which they are massively released to the environment through a multiscale level, involving the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Consequently, much research has been conducted on the understanding of the interconnection between those interfaces, that motivate the spread of these contaminants to biological systems, being mostly represented by the biosphere, especially phytosphere and, finally, the anthroposphere. These findings have highlighted the potential hazardous risk for human health through different mechanisms from the environment, requiring a much deeper approach to define the real risk of MNPs exposure. As a result, there is a gap of knowledge regarding the environmental impact of MNPs from a high-throughput perspective. In this review, a metabolomics-based overview on the impact of MNPs to all environmental interfaces was proposed, considering this technology a highly valuable tool to decipher the real impact of MNPs on biological systems, thus opening a novel perspective on the study of these contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leilei Zhang
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Pascual García-Pérez
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy.
| | | | - Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Campus Universitario de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, University of Granada, Spain; Institute of Water Research, Calle Ramon y Cajal 4, 18001, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Department of Microbiology, Campus Universitario de Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, University of Granada, Spain; Institute of Water Research, Calle Ramon y Cajal 4, 18001, University of Granada, Spain
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4
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Jiang J, Shu Z, Qiu L. Adverse effects and potential mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the blood-testis barrier. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:238. [PMID: 38849627 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02033-z] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles or fragments with a diameter of less than 5 mm. These particles have been identified as causing male reproductive toxicity, although the precise mechanism behind this association is yet to be fully understood. Recent research has found that exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) can disrupt spermatogenesis by impacting the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a formidable barrier within mammalian blood tissues. The BTB safeguards germ cells from harmful substances and infiltration by immune cells. However, the disruption of the BTB leads to the entry of environmental pollutants and immune cells into the seminiferous tubules, resulting in adverse reproductive effects. Additionally, PS-MPs induce reproductive damage by generating oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and alterations in the composition of intestinal flora. Despite these findings, the precise mechanism by which PS-MPs disrupt the BTB remains inconclusive, necessitating further investigation into the underlying processes. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the pernicious effects of PS-MP exposure on the BTB and explore potential mechanisms to offer novel perspectives on BTB damage caused by PS-MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchen Jiang
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenhao Shu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianglin Qiu
- School of Public Health, Nantong University, 9 Seyuan Rd, Nantong, 226019, People's Republic of China.
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Fu X, Han H, Yang H, Xu B, Dai W, Liu L, He T, DU X, Pei X. Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis of spermatogenic cells involved in male reproductive toxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics in mice. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2024; 25:307-323. [PMID: 38584093 PMCID: PMC11009441 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2300138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have become hazardous materials due to the massive amount of plastic waste and disposable masks, but their specific health effects remain uncertain. In this study, fluorescence-labeled polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) were injected into the circulatory systems of mice to determine the distribution and potential toxic effects of NPs in vivo. Interestingly, whole-body imaging found that PS-NPs accumulated in the testes of mice. Therefore, the toxic effects of PS-NPs on the reproduction systems and the spermatocytes cell line of male mice, and their mechanisms, were investigated. After oral exposure to PS-NPs, their spermatogenesis was affected and the spermatogenic cells were damaged. The spermatocyte cell line GC-2 was exposed to PS-NPs and analyzed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to determine the toxic mechanisms; a ferroptosis pathway was found after PS-NP exposure. The phenomena and indicators of ferroptosis were then determined and verified by ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), and it was also found that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) played an important role in spermatogenic cell ferroptosis induced by PS-NPs. Finally, it was confirmed in vivo that this mechanism of Nrf2 played a protective role in PS-NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity. This study demonstrated that PS-NPs induce male reproductive dysfunction in mice by causing spermatogenic cell ferroptosis dependent on Nrf2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xufeng Fu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Hang Han
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Wenjie Dai
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Tiantian He
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Xing DU
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China.
| | - Xiuying Pei
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China. ,
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics in Ningxia, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China. ,
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Hu Y, Shen M, Wang C, Huang Q, Li R, Dorj G, Gombojav E, Du J, Ren L. A meta-analysis-based adverse outcome pathway for the male reproductive toxicity induced by microplastics and nanoplastics in mammals. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133375. [PMID: 38160553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The male reproductive toxicity of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has attracted great attention, but the latent mechanisms remain fragmented. This review performed the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) analysis and meta-analysis in 39 relevant studies, with the AOP analysis to reveal the cause-and-effect relationships of MPs/NPs-induced male reproductive toxicity and the meta-analysis to quantify the toxic effects. In the AOP framework, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the molecular initiating event (MIE), which triggered several key events (KEs) at different levels. At the cellular level, the KEs included oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, sperm DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and autophagy of testicular cells, repressed expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, and gut microbiota alteration. These KEs further induced the reduction of testosterone, impaired blood-testis barrier (BTB), testicular inflammation, and impaired spermatogenesis at tissue/organ levels. Ultimately, decreased sperm quality or quantity was noted and proved by meta-analysis, which demonstrated that MPs/NPs led to a decrease of 5.99 million/mL in sperm concentration, 14.62% in sperm motility, and 23.56% in sperm viability, while causing an increase of 10.65% in sperm abnormality rate. Overall, this is the first AOP for MPs/NPs-mediated male reproductive toxicity in mammals. The innovative integration of meta-analysis into the AOP analysis increases the rigorism of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchu Hu
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Meidi Shen
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chongkun Wang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qifang Huang
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ruiqiong Li
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Gantuya Dorj
- School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Enkhjargal Gombojav
- School of Public Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Jiwei Du
- Nursing Department, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518040, China
| | - Lihua Ren
- School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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Zha H, Tang R, Li S, Zhuge A, Xia J, Lv J, Wang S, Wang K, Zhang H, Li L. Effects of partial reduction of polystyrene micro-nanoplastics on the immunity, gut microbiota and metabolome of mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140940. [PMID: 38101478 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140940] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP) could cause gut microbiota alterations. Although micro/nanoplastic (MNP) degradation is attracting increasing scientific interest, the evaluation of MNP reduction in gut needs to be further investigated. This study aimed to determine whether partial reduction of polystyrene MNP in gut could affect the immunity, gut microbiota and metabolome of mice. Serum eotaxin/CCL11 was at a lower level in the mice exposed to 200 μg and 500 μg NP (i.e., 2NP and 5NP groups, respectively) compared to those exposed to 500 μg MP (i.e., 5 MP group), while serum IL-2 and IL-4 were both greater in the 5NP group compared to the 5 MP group. The gut bacterial alpha diversity, fungal diversity and evenness were all similar among the MNP and control groups. However, the gut fungal richness was greater in both the 5NP and 5 MP groups compared to the control group. The gut bacterial and fungal compositions were both different between the MNP and control groups. Multiple gut bacteria and fungi showed different levels between the 2NP and 5NP groups, as well as between the 2NP and 5 MP groups. Increased Staphylococcus and decreased Glomus were determined in the 2NP group compared to both the 5NP and 5 MP groups. A Lactobacillus phylotype was found as the sole gatekeeper in the bacterial network of the 2NP group, while a Bifidobacterium phylotype contributed most to the stability of the bacterial networks of both the 5NP and 5 MP groups. Multiple differential gut metabolic pathways were found between the 2NP and 5NP/5 MP groups, and mTOR signaling pathway was largely upregulated in the 2NP group compared to both the 5NP and 5 MP groups. The relevant results could help with the evaluation of partial reduction of MNP in gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zha
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruiqi Tang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengjie Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aoxiang Zhuge
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiafeng Xia
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuting Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaiceng Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Rao G, Qiao B, Zhong G, Li T, Su Q, Wu S, Tang Z, Hu L. Arsenic and polystyrene-nano plastics co-exposure induced testicular toxicity: Triggers oxidative stress and promotes apoptosis and inflammation in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:264-276. [PMID: 37705229 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23970] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Co-existing of polystyrene-nano plastics (PSNPs) and arsenic (As) in the environment caused a horrendous risk to human health. However, the potential mechanism of PSNPs and As combination induced testicular toxicity in mammals has not been elucidated. Therefore, we first explore the testicular toxicity and the potential mechanism in male Kunming mice exposed to As or/and PSNPs. Results revealed that compared to the As or PSNPs group, the combined group showed more significant testicular toxicity. Specifically, As and PSNPs combination induced irregular spermatozoa array and blood-testis barrier disruption. Simultaneously, As and PSNPs co-exposure also exacerbated oxidative stress, including increasing the MDA content, and down-regulating expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, SOD-1, and Trx. PSNPs and As combination also triggered testicular apoptosis, containing changes in apoptotic factors (P53, Bax, Bcl-2, Cytc, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3). Furthermore, co-exposed to As and PSNPs aggravated inflammatory damage characterized by targeted phosphorylation of NF-κB and degradation of I-κB. In summary, our results strongly confirmed As + PSNPs co-exposure induced the synergistic toxicity of testis through excessive oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, which could offer a new sight into the mechanism of environmental pollutants co-exposure induced male reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan Rao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- National Canine Laboratory Animal Resources Center, Guangzhou General Pharmaceutical Research Institute Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoxin Qiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gaolong Zhong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tong Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaofeng Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoxin Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lianmei Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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