Perfluorododecanoic acid delays Leydig cell regeneration from stem cells in adult rats. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Huitao; Wen, Zina; Ni, Chaobo; Chen, Xianwu; Cheng, Yong; Liu, Yuxin; Li, Xiaoheng; Zhu, Qiqi; Ge, Ren-Shan
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 151(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: PFDoA -- Leydig cells -- Leydig cell regeneration -- Stem cells -- Testosterone; ACTB, β-actin CYP11A1 (Cyp11a1), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage -- CYP17A1 (Cyp17a1) cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase -- EDS ethane dimethane sulfonate -- FSH follicle-stimulating hormone -- FSHR (Fshr) follicle-stimulating hormone receptor -- HSD3B1 (Hsd3b1) 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 -- HSD11B1 (Hsd11b1) 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 -- HSD17B3 (Hsd17b3) 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 -- LC Leydig cell -- LH luteinizing hormone -- LHCGR (Lhcgr) luteinizing hormone receptor -- PFDoA perfluorododecanoic acid -- SC Sertoli cell -- SCARB1 (Scarb1) scavenger receptor member B1 -- SMA α-smooth muscle actin -- SRD5A1 (Srd5a1) 5α-reductase 1 -- STAR (Star) steroidogenic acute regulatory protein -- T testosterone; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) is an endocrine-damaging compound in contaminated food and water. However, the potential role and underlying mechanism of PFDoA in Leydig cell regeneration from stem Leydig cells remain unclear. The current study aims to investigate the effect of PFDoA on the regeneration of Leydig cells in the testis of rats treated with ethylene dimethane sulfonate (EDS). PFDoA (0, 5 or 10 mg/kg/day) was gavaged to adult Sprague-Dawley male rats for 8 days, and 75 mg/kg EDS was intraperitoneally injected to eliminate Leydig cells to initiate its regeneration from day 21–56 after EDS. The serum testosterone levels in the 5 and 10 mg/kg/day PFDoA groups were significantly reduced at day 21 after EDS and the levels of serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly decreased in the 10 mg/kg/day PFDoA groups at day 56 after EDS. PFDoA significantly reduced Leydig cell number and proliferation at a dose of 10 mg/kg at days 21 and 56 after EDS. PFDoA significantly down-regulated the expression of Leydig cell-specific genes ( Lhcgr, Scarb1, Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1 and Cyp17a1 ) and their proteins at both doses at days 21 and 56 after EDS. PFDoA significantly down-regulated the gene expression of Sertoli cells ( Fshr, Dhh, and Sox9 ) at 5 mg/kg or higher at days 21 and 56 after EDS. In addition, we found that PFDoA significantly inhibited EdU incorporation into putative stem Leydig cells and their differentiation into the Leydig cell lineage in vitro. In conclusion, short-term PFDoA exposure in adulthood delayed the regeneration of Leydig cells by preventing Leydig cells from stem cells via multiple mechanisms. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PFDoA inhibits Leydig cell regeneration in rat. PFDoA inhibits stem/progenitor Leydig cell proliferation. PFDoA inhibits stem Leydig cell differentiation. PFDoA inhibits testosterone synthesis and spermatogenesis. PFDoA lowers serum LH and FSH levels.