Potential protective effect of lactic acid bacteria against zearalenone causing reprotoxicity in male mice

Reproductive Toxicity of Zearalenone and Its Molecular Mechanisms: A Review

Zearalenone (ZEA) is one of the common mycotoxins in feeds. ZEA and its metabolites have estrogen-like activity and can competitively bind to estrogen receptors, causing reproductive dysfunction and damage to reproductive organs. The toxicity mechanism of ZEA mainly inhibits the antioxidant pathway and antioxidant enzyme activity, induces cell cycle arrest and DNA damage, and blocks the process of cellular autophagy to produce toxic effects. In animal husbandry practice, when animals ingest ZEA-contaminated feed, it is likely to lead to abortion in females, abnormal sperm viability in males with inflammatory reactions in various organs, and cancerous changes in the reproductive organs of humans when they ingest contaminated animal products. In this paper, we reviewed in detail how ZEA induces oxidative damage by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulating the expression of genes related to oxidative pathways, induces germ cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways, and activates the expression of genes related to autophagy in order to induce cellular autophagy. In addition, the molecular detoxification mechanism of ZEA is also explored in this paper, aiming to provide a new direction and theoretical basis for the development of new ZEA detoxification methods to better reduce the global pollution and harm caused by ZEA.

Type 1 diabetes impairs the activity of rat testicular somatic and germ cells through NRF2/NLRP3 pathway-mediated oxidative stress

Background

It is well known that metabolic disorders, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), are often associated with reduced male fertility, mainly increasing oxidative stress and impairing the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis, with consequently altered spermatogenesis and reduced sperm parameters. Herein, using a rat model of T1D obtained by treatment with streptozotocin (STZ), we analyzed several parameters of testicular activity.

Methods

A total of 10 adult male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of five: control and T1D, obtained with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. After 3 months, the rats were anesthetized and sacrificed; one testis was stored at -80°C for biochemical analysis, and the other was fixed for histological and immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

The data confirmed that T1D induced oxidative stress and, consequently, alterations in both testicular somatic and germ cells. This aspect was highlighted by enhanced apoptosis, altered steroidogenesis and Leydig cell maturity, and impaired spermatogenesis. In addition, the blood-testis barrier integrity was compromised, as shown by the reduced levels of structural proteins (N-cadherin, ZO-1, occludin, connexin 43, and VANGL2) and the phosphorylation status of regulative kinases (Src and FAK). Mechanistically, the dysregulation of the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways was proven, particularly the reduced nuclear translocation of NRF2, affecting its ability to induce the transcription of genes encoding for antioxidant enzymes. Finally, the stimulation of testicular inflammation and pyroptosis was also confirmed, as highlighted by the increased levels of some markers, such as NF-κB and NLRP3.

Conclusion

The combined data allowed us to confirm that T1D has detrimental effects on rat testicular activity. Moreover, a better comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between metabolic disorders and male fertility could help to identify novel targets to prevent and treat fertility disorders related to T1D.

Insights into the intestinal toxicity of foodborne mycotoxins through gut microbiota: A comprehensive review

Mycotoxins, which are fungal metabolites, pose a significant global food safety concern by extensively contaminating food and feed, thereby seriously threatening public health and economic development. Many foodborne mycotoxins exhibit potent intestinal toxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying mycotoxin-induced intestinal toxicity are diverse and complex, and effective prevention or treatment methods for this condition have not yet been established in clinical and animal husbandry practices. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the role of gut microbiota in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases. Hence, this review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the intestinal toxicity mechanisms of six common foodborne mycotoxins. It also explores novel toxicity mechanisms through the "key gut microbiota-key metabolites-key targets" axis, utilizing multiomics and precision toxicology studies with a specific focus on gut microbiota. Additionally, we examine the potential beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on mycotoxin-induced toxicity based on initial gut microbiota-mediated mycotoxicity. This review offers a systematic description of how mycotoxins impact gut microbiota, metabolites, and genes or proteins, providing valuable insights for subsequent toxicity studies of mycotoxins. Furthermore, it lays a theoretical foundation for preventing and treating intestinal toxicity caused by mycotoxins and advancing food safety practices.

The simultaneous administration of microplastics and cadmium alters rat testicular activity and changes the expression of PTMA, DAAM1 and PREP

This paper confirms the damaging effects produced by MP and Cd on testicular activity in the rat. Oral treatment with both chemicals resulted in testicular damage, documented by biomolecular and histological alterations, particularly by impaired morphometric parameters, increased apoptosis, reduced testosterone synthesis, and downregulation of the steroidogenic enzyme 3β-HSD. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that both MP and Cd can affect the protein level of PTMA, a small peptide that regulates germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Interestingly, the cytoarchitecture of testicular cells was also altered by the treatments, as evidenced by the impaired expression and localization of DAAM1 and PREP, two proteins involved in actin- and microtubule-associated processes, respectively, during germ cells differentiation into spermatozoa, impairing normal spermatogenesis. Finally, we showed that the effect of simultaneous treatment with MP and Cd were more severe than those produced by MP alone and less harmful than those of Cd alone. This could be due to the different ways of exposure of the two substances to rats (in drinking water for Cd and in oral gavage for MP), since being the first contact in the animals’ gastrointestinal tract, MP can adsorb Cd, reducing its bioavailability through the Trojan-horse effect.

Isolation and Characterization of Lactobacillus paracasei 85 and Lactobacillus buchneri 93 to Absorb and Biotransform Zearalenone

As one of the most prevalent estrogenic mycotoxins in cereals and animal feed, zearalenone (ZEN) can cause serious reproductive disorders. ZEN control in food and feed commodities has been an imperative area of research. In this study, 87 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from pickles and their ZEN (5 mg/L) removal abilities ranged from 0% to 68.4%. Then, five strains with potent ZEN removal ability (>50%) were identified: Lactobacillus plantarum 22, L. plantarum 37, L. plantarum 47, L. paracasei 85, and L. buchneri 93. Under optimization conditions (48 h, pH 4.0, 37 °C, and 5 mg/L), the highest ZEN removal abilities of L. paracasei 85 and L. buchneri 93 reached 77.7% and 72.8%, respectively. Moreover, the two lactic acid bacteria decreased the toxicity of ZEN, because the levels of β-zearalenol (β-ZOL) transformed from ZEN were more than two-fold higher than α-zearalenol (α-ZOL). Additionally, cell free supernatant and pellet biotransformation of ZEN to α-ZOL and β-ZOL in LAB were detected for the first time. Furthermore, chemical and enzymatical treatments combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that exopolysaccharides, proteins, and lipids on the cell wall could bond to ZEN through hydrophobic interactions. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that cell structure damage occurred during the ZEN clearance to L. buchneri 93, but it did not with L. paracasei 85. In addition, various organic acids, alcohols, and esters of the two LAB participated in ZEN removal. Hence, L. paracasei 85 and L. buchneri 93 can be considered as potential detoxification agents for ZEN removal for food and feedstuff.

Toxicity of zearalenone and its nutritional intervention by natural products

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a toxic secondary metabolite mainly produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium, and is often present in various food and feed ingredients such as corn and wheat. The structure of ZEN is similar to that of natural estrogen, and it can bind to estrogen receptors and has estrogenic activity. Therefore, it can cause endocrine-disrupting effects and promote the proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive cell lines. In addition, ZEN can cause oxidative damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and other hazards, resulting in systemic toxic effects, including reproductive toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. In the past few decades, researchers have tried many ways to remove ZEN from food and feed, but it is still a challenge to eliminate it. In recent years, natural compounds have become of interest for their excellent protective effects on human health from food contaminants. Researchers have discovered that natural compounds often used as dietary supplements can effectively alleviate ZEN-induced systemic toxic effects. Most of the compounds mitigate ZEN-induced toxicity through antioxidant effects. In this article, the contamination of food and feed by ZEN and the various toxic effects and mechanisms of ZEN are reviewed, as well as the mitigation effects of natural compounds on ZEN-induced toxicity.

Toxicity and preventive approaches of Fusarium derived mycotoxins using lactic acid bacteria: state of the art

Mycotoxin contamination of food and feed is a serious food safety issue and causes acute and chronic diseases in humans and livestock. Climatic and agronomic changes helps in the proliferation of fungal growth and mycotoxin production in food commodities. Mycotoxin contamination has attracted global attention due to its wide range of toxicity to humans and animals. However, physical and chemical management approaches in practice are unsafe for well-being due to their health-hazardous nature. Various antibiotics and preservatives are in use to reduce the microbial load and improve the shelf life of food products. In addition, the use of antibiotic growth promotors in livestock production may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance, which is a global health concern. Due to their many uses, probiotics are helpful microbes that have a significant impact on food and nutrition. Furthermore, the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is employed in various food and feed preparations to neutralize mycotoxins, antimicrobial activities, balance the gut microbiome, and various immunomodulatory activities in both humans and livestock. In addition, LAB produces various antimicrobials, flavouring agents, peptides, and proteins linked to various food and health care applications. The LAB-based processes for mycotoxin management are more effective, eco-friendly, and low-cost than physical and chemical approaches. The toxicity, novel preventive measures, binding nature, and molecular mechanisms of mycotoxins' detoxification using LAB have been highlighted in this review.

New Insight on the In Vitro Effects of Melatonin in Preserving Human Sperm Quality

Spermatozoa (SPZ) are sensitive to stressful conditions, particularly oxidative stress, which alters their quality; thus, the use of protective molecules as an antioxidant is encouraged. Herein, we used melatonin (MLT) to investigate its in vitro effects on human sperm parameters under conditions of oxidative stress induced by cadmium (Cd). Fifteen human semen samples were divided into control, Cd-treated, MLT-treated, and Cd+MLT-treated groups and analyzed after 30 min, 6 h, and 24 h of exposure. Results showed a time-dependent decrease in SPZ motility, DNA integrity, and increased apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, and these effects were counteracted by MLT co-treatment. Based on these data, we further explored additional parameters just at 24 h. The induced oxidative stress, highlighted by the increased lipid peroxidation, reduced the percentage of SPZ able to undertake acrosome reaction and altered the levels and localization of some protein markers of motility (PREP, RSPH6A), morphology (DAAM1), and acrosome membrane (PTMA, IAM38); all these effects were counteracted by MLT co-treatment. Interestingly, MLT alone was able to ameliorate motility at 30 min of incubation compared to the control, while at 24 h, it prevented the physiological alteration in terms of motility, DNA integrity, and apoptosis. Collectively, the data encourage MLT use as an integrative molecule to ameliorate human gamete quality when compromised by stressful conditions.