The relationship between aflatoxin B1 with the induction of extrinsic/intrinsic pathways of apoptosis and the protective role of taraxasterol in TM3 leydig cell line

Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) a dangerous type of aflatoxin, poses a serious threat to human health. Meanwhile, Taraxasterol, a bioactive compound in dandelion, exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of AFB1 on the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, as well as evaluate the protective role of taraxasterol in the TM3 Leydig cell line. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay, measuring the effects of 3.6 µM AFB1 and varying concentrations of taraxasterol. Expression levels of Caspase 3,8, and 9 were analyzed with RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle progression and apoptotic alterations. The findings of this study demonstrated that exposure to 3.6 µM of AFB1 resulted in an upregulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 expression, indicating an activation of apoptotic pathways in TM3 cells. Additionally, the analysis of apoptosis revealed a significant increase in cellular apoptosis at this AFB1 concentration. However, when TM3 cells were exposed to 5 µM of taraxasterol, a downregulation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 expression was observed, suggesting a protective effect against apoptosis. Moreover, the apoptotic rate in TM3 cells was reduced in the presence of 5 µM of taraxasterol. Consequently, this study highlights the potential of taraxasterol as a protective agent against AFB1-induced apoptosis and suggest its potential application in regulating cell survival and apoptosis-related processes. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the clinical implications of taraxasterol in the context of fertility disorders and other conditions associated with AFB1 exposure.

Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of aflatoxin on the reproductive system: Focus on cell cycle dynamics and apoptosis in testicular tissue

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.

Aflatoxin G1 exposure altered the expression of BDNF and GFAP, histopathological of brain tissue, and oxidative stress factors in male rats

Background and purpose

Aflatoxins are highly toxic compounds that can cause acute and chronic toxicity in humans and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of BDNF and GFAP, histopathological changes, and oxidative stress factors in brain tissue exposed to aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) in male rats.

Experimental approach

Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were used. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 each. The control group received 0.2 mL of corn oil and the treatment groups were exposed to AFG1 (2 mg/kg) intra-peritoneally for 15, 28, and 45 days. The tissue was used for histopathological studies, and the level of TAC, SOD, and MDA, and the expression of BDNF and GFAP genes were evaluated.

Findings/Results

Real-time PCR results showed that AFG1 increased GFAP expression and decreased BDNF expression in AFG1-treated groups compared to the control group. The tissue level of TAC and SOD over time in the groups receiving AFG1 significantly decreased and the tissue level of MDA increased compared to the control group. Histopathological results showed that AFG1 can cause cell necrosis, a reduction of the normal cells number in the hippocampal region of CA1, cerebral edema, shrinkage of nerve cells, formation of space around neuroglia, and diffusion of gliosis in the cerebral cortex after 45 days.

Conclusion and implication

AFG1, by causing pathological complications in cortical tissue, was able to affect the exacerbation of nerve tissue damage and thus pave the way for future neurological diseases.