Bisphenol AF blocks Leydig cell regeneration from stem cells in male rats. (1st April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Yige; Xin, Xiu; Ma, Feifei; Li, Xiaoheng; Wang, Yiyan; Zhu, Qiqi; Chen, Haiqiong; Li, Huitao; Ge, Ren-shan
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 298(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-01
• Subjects: Bisphenol AF -- Bisphenol analogs -- Leydig cells -- Autophagy -- Regeneration; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118825
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, mainly from the manufacture and use of plastics. The use of BPA is restricted, and its new analogs (including bisphenol AF, BPAF) are being produced to replace it. However, the effect of BPAF on the male reproductive system remains unclear. Here, we report the effect of BPAF on Leydig cell regeneration in rats. Leydig cells were eliminated by ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS, i.p., 75 mg/kg) and the regeneration began 14 days after its treatment. We gavaged 0, 10, 100, and 200 mg/kg BPAF to rats on post-EDS day 7–28. BPAF significantly reduced serum testosterone and progesterone levels at ≧10 mg/kg. It markedly reduced serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone at 100 and 200 mg/kg. BPAF significantly reduced Leydig cell number at 200 mg/kg. BPAF significantly down-regulated the expression of Cyp17a1 at doses of 10 mg/kg and higher and the expression of Insl3, Star, Hsd17b3, Hsd11b1 in Leydig cells at 100 and 200 mg/kg, while it induced a significant up-regulation of Fshr, Dhh, and Sox9 in Sertoli cells at 200 mg/kg. BPAF induced oxidative stress and reduced the level of SOD2 at 200 mg/kg. It induced apoptosis and autophagy by increasing the levels of BAX, LC3B, and BECLIN1 and lowering the levels of BCL2 and p62 at 100 and 200 mg/kg. It induced autophagy possibly via decreasing the phosphorylation of AKT1 and mTOR. BPAF also significantly induced ROS production and apoptosis at a concentration of 10 μM, and reduced testosterone synthesis in rat R2C Leydig cells at a concentration of 10 μM in vitro, but did not affect cell viability after 24 h of treatment. In conclusion, BPAF is a novel endocrine disruptor, inhibiting the regeneration of Leydig cells. Graphical abstract: BPAF directly down-regulates the expression of steroidogenic enzymes at low and high doses. It induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and then blocks BCL2 and induces BAX levels, thereby inducing cell apoptosis. Increased ROS also inhibits the phosphorylation of AKT1/mTOR, thereby inducing autophagic cell death, eventually leading to reduction of testosterone (T). Image 1 Highlights: Bisphenol AF reduces serum testosterone levels during Leydig cell regeneration. Bisphenol AF reduces Leydig cell number. Bisphenol AF down-regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis-related gene expression. Bisphenol AF induces ROS production and apoptosis in the testis and in primary Leydig cells. Bisphenol AF induces autophagy in vivo .