Patulin Stimulates Progenitor Leydig Cell Proliferation but Delays Its Differentiation in Male Rats during Prepuberty
Huitao Li,
Ming Su,
Hang Lin,
Jingjing Li,
Shaowei Wang,
Lei Ye,
Xingwang Li,
Renshan Ge
Affiliations
Huitao Li
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Ming Su
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Hang Lin
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Jingjing Li
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Shaowei Wang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Lei Ye
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Xingwang Li
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Renshan Ge
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
Patulin is a mycotoxin with potential reproductive toxicity. We explored the impact of patulin on Leydig cell (LC) development in male rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (21 days postpartum) were gavaged patulin at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Patulin markedly lowered serum testosterone at ≥0.5 mg/kg and progesterone at 1 and 2 mg/kg, while increasing LH levels at 2 mg/kg. Patulin increased the CYP11A1+ (cholesterol side-chain cleavage, a progenitor LC biomarker) cell number and their proliferation at 1 and 2 mg/kg. Additionally, patulin downregulated Lhcgr (luteinizing hormone receptor), Scarb1 (high-density lipoprotein receptor), and Cyp17a1 (17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase) at 1 and 2 mg/kg. It increased the activation of pAKT1 (protein kinase B), pERK1/2 (extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2), pCREB (cyclic AMP response binding protein), and CCND1 (cyclin D1), associated with cell cycle regulation, in vivo. Patulin increased EdU incorporation into R2C LC and stimulated cell cycle progression in vitro. Furthermore, patulin showed a direct inhibitory effect on 11β-HSD2 (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2) activity, which eliminates the adverse effects of glucocorticoids. This study provides insights into the potential mechanisms via which patulin affects progenitor LC development in young male rats.
