Zamir-Nasta Toraj, Pazhouhi Mona, Ghanbari Ali, Abdolmaleki Amir, Jalili Cyrus
Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran.
Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, I.R. Iran.
Res Pharm Sci. 2021 Mar 5;16(2):182-192. doi: 10.4103/1735-5362.310525. eCollection 2021 Apr.
Aflatoxin (AF) is a mycotoxin produced by various strains of the family. AFG1 as one of the most important types is highly found in cereals and grains. AF affects sperm production or even its quality. This study was designed to test the effects of AFG1 on mice testicular tissue.
Twenty-four Albino mice were divided into four groups of 6 each; a control group (0.2 mL corn oil and ethanol), three treatment groups with different periods (20 μg/kg AFG1 for 7, 15, and 35 consecutive days). All treatments were applied intraperitoneally. Biosynthesis of cyclin D1, p21, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Levels of cyclin D1, p21, and ERα mRNA were evaluated by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Tubular differentiation index (TDI), reproductive index (RI), and spermiogenesis indices were also analyzed.
FINDINGS/RESULTS: AFG1 increased the percentage of seminiferous tubules with negative TDI, RI, and SPI compared to the control group ( < 0.05). RT-PCR and IHC analyses illustrated time-dependent enhancement in p21 expression and cyclin D1 biosynthesis in AFG1-treated groups significantly ( < 0.05). While the protein and mRNA levels of ERα were significantly ( < 0.05) decreased in a time-dependent manner.
The chronic exposure to AFG1 reduced the expression and synthesis of ERα, increased the expression and synthesis of p21 and cyclin D1, impaired apoptosis, which in turn could impair spermatogenesis.
黄曲霉毒素（AF）是由曲霉属的多种菌株产生的一种霉菌毒素。AFG1作为最重要的类型之一，在谷物和粮食中大量存在。AF会影响精子生成甚至精子质量。本研究旨在测试AFG1对小鼠睾丸组织的影响。
将24只白化小鼠分为四组，每组6只；一个对照组（0.2 mL玉米油和乙醇），三个处理组，分别连续7天、15天和35天给予不同剂量（20 μg/kg AFG1）。所有处理均通过腹腔注射进行。通过免疫组织化学（IHC）染色评估细胞周期蛋白D1、p21和雌激素受体α（ERα）蛋白的生物合成。通过实时聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）技术评估细胞周期蛋白D1、p21和ERα mRNA的水平。还分析了生精小管分化指数（TDI）、生殖指数（RI）和精子发生指数。
与对照组相比，AFG1增加了TDI、RI和SPI为阴性的生精小管百分比（P<0.05）。RT-PCR和IHC分析表明，AFG1处理组中p21表达和细胞周期蛋白D1生物合成呈时间依赖性显著增强（P<0.05）。而ERα的蛋白和mRNA水平则以时间依赖性方式显著降低（P<0.05）。
长期暴露于AFG1会降低ERα的表达和合成，增加p21和细胞周期蛋白D1的表达和合成，损害细胞凋亡，进而可能损害精子发生。
