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Crocetto F, Risolo R, Colapietro R, Bellavita R, Barone B, Ballini A, Arrigoni R, Francesco Caputo V, Luca G, Grieco P, Santini G, Brancorsini S. Heavy Metal Pollution and Male Fertility: An Overview on Adverse Biological Effects and Socio-Economic Implications. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2023; 23:129-146. [PMID: 35761486 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666220627141651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Trace metals can be divided into two subgroups considering their pathophysiological effects: the first consists of microelements essential for life (arsenic, cobalt, chromium, copper, fluorine, iron, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, tin, vanadium and zinc), implicated in important metabolic processes; the second includes toxic microelements, such as cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) for living organisms, even at low concentrations. These metals contribute to serious consequences for human health, including male infertility. Studies performed in several in vitro and in vivo models revealed that environmental exposure to toxic pollutants, as heavy metals, negatively affects human male fertility. Stem cells, due to their ability to self-renew and differentiate in several cell types, have been proposed as a useful tool in assisted reproductive technology, permitting the spermatogenesis recovery in patients with irreversible infertility. Considering the effects of heavy metals on male fertility and, from a demographic point of view, the decreased fertility ratio, further strategies are required to maintain a sustainable turn-over of 2 children for woman. We discuss here the findings on the biological effects of heavy metal pollution in the male fertility and underline the related socioeconomic impact on population demography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Risolo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | | | - Rosa Bellavita
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Biagio Barone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Arrigoni
- CNR Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM), Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Francesco Caputo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples "Federico II," Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Terni, Italy
| | - Paolo Grieco
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giunio Santini
- Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) Naples, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Naples, Italy
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Marino MM, Nastri BM, D'Agostino M, Risolo R, De Angelis A, Settembre G, Rienzo M, D'Esposito V, Abbondanza C, Formisano P, Ballini A, Santacroce L, Di Domenico M, Boccellino M. Do axis gut-breast microbiota orchestrate cancer progression? Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2022; 22:1111-1122. [PMID: 35362389 DOI: 10.2174/1871530322666220331145816] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Breast cancer, even today, can cause death. Therefore, prevention and early detection are fundamental factors. The mechanisms that favour it are genetic and epigenetic and seems to play a significant role also the microbiota that can change estrogen levels and can induce chronic inflammation in the neoplastic site, alternating the balance between proliferation and cell death. Activated steroid hormone receptors induce transcription of genes that encode for proteins involved in cell proliferation and activate another transduction pathway, inducing cell cycle progression and cell migration. These important studies have allowed to develop therapies with selective modulators of estrogen receptors (SERMs), able to block their proliferative and pro-tumorigenic action. Of fundamental importance is also the role played by the microbiota in regulating the metabolism of estrogens and their levels in the blood. There are microbial populations, able to promote the development of breast cancer, through the production of enzymes responsible for the deconiugation of estrogens, the increase of these in the intestine, subsequent circulation and migration to other locations such as the udder. Other microbial populations are, instead, able to synthesize estrogen compounds similar or that mimic estrogenic action and to interfere with the metabolism of drugs, affecting the outcome of therapies. The microbial composition of the intestine and hormonal metabolism, depend largely on eating habits, the consumption of fats and proteins favours the increase of estrogen free in the blood, unlike a diet rich in fiber. Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of the microbiota present in the intestine-breast axis could, in the future, encourage the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Michela Marino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Nastri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania \'Luigi Vanvitelli\', Naples, Italy
| | - Marina D'Agostino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Risolo
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra De Angelis
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuliana Settembre
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Rienzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania \'Luigi Vanvitelli\', Caserta, Italy
| | - Vittoria D'Esposito
- Department of Translational Medicine, Research Unit (URT) Genomic of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Council of Research (CNR), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Abbondanza
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medicine, Research Unit (URT) Genomic of Diabetes, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology, National Council of Research (CNR), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Santacroce
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari ALDO MORO, Bari, Italy
| | - Marina Di Domenico
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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