A brief exposure to cadmium impairs Leydig cell regeneration in the adult rat testis.

Cadmium is an endocrine disruptor, impairing male reproduction. The objective of this study is to investigate whether cadmium affects rat Leydig cell regeneration and to dissect the underlying mechanism. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection (i.

Ziram inhibits rat neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

The neurotoxicity of ziram is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the direct inhibitions of ziram on rat neurosteroid synthetic and metabolizing enzymes, 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C14), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2). Rat SRD5A1, AKR1C14, and RDH2 were cloned and transiently expressed in COS1 cells, and the effects of ziram on these enzymes were measured.

Insights into the Development of the Adult Leydig Cell Lineage from Stem Leydig Cells.

Adult Leydig cells (ALCs) are the steroidogenic cells in the testes that produce testosterone. ALCs develop postnatally from a pool of stem cells, referred to as stem Leydig cells (SLCs). SLCs are spindle-shaped cells that lack steroidogenic cell markers, including luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

The Effects of Fungicides on Human 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 1 and Aromatase in Human Placental Cell Line JEG-3.

Placenta secretes a large amount of progesterone and estradiol, which are critical for maintaining pregnancy. In human placenta, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD3B1) catalyzes pregnenolone to form progesterone, and aromatase (CYP19A1) catalyzes testosterone into estradiol. Fungicides display antifungal activities and are widely used to prevent fungal infections in agricultural plants.

Butylated hydroxyanisole alters rat 5α-reductase and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: Implications for influences of neurosteroidogenesis.

Butylated hydroxyanisole is a synthetic antioxidant. It may affect the function of the nerve system. The objective of the present study is to investigate the direct effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on rat brain neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C14), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RDH2).

Effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on neurosteroid synthetic enzymes in the rat.

Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs), including perfluorooctyl sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctane acid (PFOA), have been classified as persistent organic pollutants and are known to cause endocrine-disrupting effects in humans. The objective of the present study was to compare the potencies of four different PFASs, PFOS, PFOA, perfluorohexyl sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorobutyl sulfonate (PFBS), to inhibit neurosteroidogenic 5α-reductase 1 (SRD5A1), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (AKR1C9), and retinol dehydrogenase 2 (RoDH2) in rats. The potencies of PFASs to inhibit SRD5A1 are PFOS > PFOA > PFHxS = PFBS, with IC values of PFOS and PFOA of 1.

Mitochondrial toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonate in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic contaminant that may cause cardiotoxicity in animals and humans. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism by which it affects the organelle toxicity in cardiomyocytes during the cardiogenesis. Our previous proteomic study showed that differences of protein expression mainly existed in mitochondria of cardiomyocytes differentiated from embryonic stem (ES) cells after exposure to PFOS.

Involvement of Rictor/mTORC2 in cardiomyocyte differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells .

Rictor is a key regulatory/structural subunit of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) and is required for phosphorylation of Akt at serine 473. It plays an important role in cell survival, actin cytoskeleton organization and other processes in embryogenesis. However, the role of Rictor/mTORC2 in the embryonic cardiac differentiation has been uncovered.

Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 in human cumulus cells is associated with regulating autophagy and apoptosis, maintaining gap junction integrity and progesterone synthesis.

To explore the roles of mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein 2 (UCP2) in cumulus cells (CCs), human CCs were cultured in vitro, and the UCP2 was inhibited by treatment with Genipin, a special UCP inhibitor, or by RNA interference targeting UCP2. No significant differences in adenosine triphosphate levels and the ratio of ADP/ATP were observed after UCP2 inhibition. UCP2 inhibition caused a significant increase in cellular oxidative damage, which was reflected in alterations to several key parameters, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation levels and the ratio of reduced GSH to GSSG.

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts toward Leydig-like Cells by Defined Factors.

Leydig cells (LCs) play crucial roles in producing testosterone, and their dysfunction leads to male hypogonadism. LC transplantation is a promising alternative therapy for male hypogonadism. However, the source of LCs limits this strategy for clinical applications.

Effects of butylated hydroxyanisole on the steroidogenesis of rat immature Leydig cells.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic antioxidant used for food preservation. Whether BHA affects testosterone biosynthesis is still unclear. The effects of BHA on the steroidogenesis in rat immature Leydig cells were investigated.

In utero methoxychlor exposure increases rat fetal Leydig cell number but inhibits its function.

The objective of the present study is to determine whether in utero exposure to methoxychlor (MXC) affects rat fetal Leydig cell number, cell size, or functions. Pregnant Sprague Dawley dams were gavaged with corn oil (control, 0mg/kg/day MXC) or MXC at doses of 10, 50, or 100mg/kg/day from gestational day (GD) 12 to 21. The results show that MXC increased fetal Leydig cell numbers dose-dependently from 95±8×10 cells/testis (control, mean±SEM) to 101±6, 148±22, and 168±21×10 cells/testis, at the doses of 10, 50, and 100mg/kg, respectively.

Leukemia inhibitory factor stimulates steroidogenesis of rat immature Leydig cells via increasing the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has many physiological roles. However, its effects on Leydig cell development are still unclear. Rat immature and adult Leydig cells were cultured with different concentrations of LIF alone or in combination with luteinizing hormone (LH) for 24 h.

Leydig cell stem cells: Identification, proliferation and differentiation.

Adult Leydig cells develop from undifferentiated mesenchymal-like stem cells (stem Leydig cells, SLCs) present in the interstitial compartment of the early postnatal testis. Putative SLCs also have been identified in peritubular and perivascular locations of the adult testis. The latter cells, which normally are quiescent, are capable of regenerating new Leydig cells upon the loss of the adult cells.

Transplantation of alginate-encapsulated seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue into adult rats: Leydig stem cell differentiation in vivo?

In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to determine whether testosterone-producing Leydig cells are able to develop from cells associated with rat seminiferous tubules, interstitium, or both. Adult rat seminiferous tubules and interstitium were isolated, encapsulated separately in alginate, and implanted subcutaneously into castrated rats. With implanted tubules, serum testosterone increased through two months.

Response to the Svingen Comments on Li et al. Effects of in Utero Exposure to Dicyclohexyl Phthalate on Rat Fetal Leydig Cells. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2016, 13, 246.

Referring to the comments of Svingen [1] on our latest publication about Effects of in utero Exposure to Dicyclohexyl Phthalate on Rat Fetal Leydig Cells [2], we would like to give some comments.[..

Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Rat and Human 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 1 and 2 Activities.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants. PBDEs have been widely used in textiles, flexible polyurethane foams, electronic components, electrical components, and plastics. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, isoform 1 (HSD11B1) and isoform 2 (HSD11B2), have been demonstrated to be the regulators of local glucocorticoid levels.

Determination of dexmedetomidine in children's plasma by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and application to pharmacokinetic study.

A rapid, sensitive, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination and pharmacokinetic investigation of dexmedetomidine in children's plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished through a simple one-step deproteinization procedure with 0.2mL of acetonitrile to a 0.

Comparison of the Effects of Dibutyl and Monobutyl Phthalates on the Steroidogenesis of Rat Immature Leydig Cells.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a widely used synthetic phthalic diester and monobutyl phthalate (MBP) is its main metabolite. DBP can be released into the environment and potentially disrupting mammalian male reproductive endocrine system. However, the potencies of DBP and MBP to inhibit Leydig cell steroidogenesis and their possible mechanisms are not clear.

Glucocorticoid receptor mediated the propofol self-administration by dopamine D1 receptor in nucleus accumbens.

Propofol, a widely used anesthetic, can cause addictive behaviors in both human and experimental animals. In the present study, we examined the involvement of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling in the molecular process by which propofol may cause addiction. The propofol self-administration model was established by a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) schedule of reinforced dosing over successive 14days in rats.