Chronic low-level perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure promotes testicular steroidogenesis through enhanced histone acetylation

Alam, Nur; Han, Xuejingping; Nan, Bingru; Liu, Liangpo; Tian, Meiping; Shen, Heqing; Huang, Qingyu

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117518

Cited by 22 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To support our results, PFOA-induced up-regulation of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) caused StAR overexpression, which in turn increased progesterone levels in mouse testis . Furthermore, our recent study also observed that PFOS (another PFAS) at low doses promoted StAR expression and consequently increased progesterone and testosterone contents . Conversely, in vivo and in vitro studies have pointed out that high-level PFOA exposure alleviated steroid hormone production, which may be ascribed to the depletion of StAR. , …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…As a bridge linking environmental pollutant exposure with health outcomes, epigenetic modification has become a hot research topic in recent years . To date, however, there is still rare evidence addressing the relationship between histone modification and PFAS-induced steroidogenic changes . Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of histone modifications in mediating testicular steroidogenesis in response to low levels of PFOA exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The contents of steroid hormones (progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol) in rat serum were determined by a radioimmunoassay method using commercial kits (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc.) in Xiamen Humanity Hospital (Xiamen, China) …”

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ChIP assays were performed using a chromatin immunoprecipitation kit (EZ-ChIP kit, Upstate, Millipore) as previously described . Briefly, 37% formaldehyde was directly added to 50 mg testis for 20 min at room temperature to cross-link DNA and histones.…”

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Han

Alam

Cao

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent organic pollutant, which has endocrine-disrupting properties and can interfere with the synthesis and secretion of testicular steroid hormones, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of low doses of PFOA exposure on testicular steroidogenesis in rats and revealed the role of histone modifications. It was found that the serum levels of progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol were significantly increased after 0.015 and 0.15 mg/kg of PFOA exposure, and the expression of Star, a key rate-limiting gene, was up-regulated, while other steroidogenic genes Cyp11a1, Hsd3b, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b were down-regulated. In addition, the levels of multiple histone modifications (H3K9me1/2/3 and H3K9/18/ 23ac) were all significantly reduced by PFOA in rat testis. Histone H3K9 methylation is associated with gene silencing, while histone acetylation leads to gene activation. ChIP analysis further showed that H3K9me1/3 was significantly decreased in the promoter region of Star, while H3K18ac levels were down-regulated in other gene promoters. Accordingly, we suggest that low-level PFOA enhances StAR expression through the repression of H3K9me1/3, which stimulates steroid hormone production in rat testis. These results are expected to shed new light on the molecular mechanisms by which low-dose PFOA disturbs male reproductive endocrine from an epigenetic aspect and may be useful for human health risk assessment regarding environmental PFOA exposure.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Han

Alam

Cao

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In their review of PFOA and as a specific cause of kidney and testicular cancer, Bartell and Vieira noted that the associations are both most likely causal and also that the evidence regarding testicular cancer has remained more sparse than the evidence for kidney cancer [ 81 ]. However, consistent experimental findings of alterations in steroidogenesis in testicular cells, and damage via endocrine disruption and estrogen receptor signaling indicate that the testes are target organs [ 82 – 84 ]. Further, PFAS mixtures have negative effects on testicular stromal cells in humans [ 85 ] and possibly on testicular volume [ 86 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Official health communications are failing PFAS-contaminated communities

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Environmental health agencies are critical sources of information for communities affected by chemical contamination. Impacted residents and their healthcare providers often turn to federal and state agency webpages, fact sheets, and other documents to weigh exposure risks and interventions. Main body This commentary briefly reviews scientific evidence concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for health outcomes that concern members of affected communities and that have compelling or substantial yet differing degree of scientific evidence. It then features official documents in their own language to illustrate communication gaps, as well as divergence from scientific evidence and from best health communication practice. We found official health communications mostly do not distinguish between the needs of heavily contaminated communities characterized by high body burdens and the larger population with ubiquitous but substantially smaller exposures. Most health communications do not distinguish levels of evidence for health outcomes and overemphasize uncertainty, dismissing legitimate reasons for concern in affected communities. Critically, few emphasize helpful approaches to interventions. We also provide examples that can be templates for improvement. Conclusions Immediate action should be undertaken to review and improve official health communications intended to inform the public and health providers about the risks of PFAS exposure and guide community and medical decisions.

show abstract

1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ supplementation alleviates perfluorooctanesulfonate acid‐induced reproductive injury in male mice: Modulation of Nrf2 mediated oxidative stress response

Liang

et al. 2022

Environmental Toxicology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Perfluorooctanesulfonate acid (PFOS) is a typical persistent organic pollutant that widely exists in the environment. To clarify the toxic effects and mechanisms of PFOS and to find effective intervention strategies have been attracted global attention. Here, we investigated the effects of PFOS on the male reproductive system and explored the potential protective role of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ).Our results showed that 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 intervention significantly improved PFOSinduced sperm quality decline and testicular damage. Moreover, 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 aggrandized the total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, after PFOS exposure, the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was adaptively increased together with its target genes, such as HO-1, NQO1, and SOD2. Meanwhile, 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 ameliorated PFOS-induced augment of Nrf2 and target genes.These findings indicated that 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 might attenuate PFOS-induced reproductive injury in male mice via Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress. K E Y W O R D S 1α,25(OH) 2 D 3 , Nrf2, oxidative stress, perfluorooctanesulfonate acid, reproductive toxicity 1 | INTRODUCTION Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a representative synthetic organo-fluorine compound, which has been widely used as a stain repellent and anti-stick material due to its excellent hydrophobic and lipophobic properties. 1 However, PFOS is difficult to degrade and widely exists in water, dust, soil, and other environmental media. 2,3 Noteworthy, PFOS generates a bioaccumulation effect. Drinking water, contaminated food consumption, product usage, and occupational exposure are the main approaches to PFOS exposure. PFOS has been extensively detected in human blood, umbilical cord blood, breast milk, and other samples worldwide. 4 Therefore, PFOS exposure has become a global environmental problem, and it is of great importance to clarify the toxic effects and mechanisms of PFOS and to find effective intervention strategies.In human body, PFOS combines with proteins, such as liver fatty acid transporters in the liver and albumin in the plasma. Liver is the primary target of PFOS, which can cause typical hepatic toxicity by disrupting glucose and lipid metabolism. [5][6][7][8] Recent studies have discovered that PFOS can also induce immune toxicity, 9 cardiotoxicity, 10 and neurotoxicity. 11 Furthermore, PFOS has significant reproductive

show abstract

Chronic low-level perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure promotes testicular steroidogenesis through enhanced histone acetylation

Cited by 22 publications

References 46 publications

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Official health communications are failing PFAS-contaminated communities

1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ supplementation alleviates perfluorooctanesulfonate acid‐induced reproductive injury in male mice: Modulation of Nrf2 mediated oxidative stress response

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Chronic low-level perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure promotes testicular steroidogenesis through enhanced histone acetylation

Cited by 22 publications

References 46 publications

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Low Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid Exposure Activates Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis through Repressing Histone Methylation in Rats

Official health communications are failing PFAS-contaminated communities

1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation alleviates perfluorooctanesulfonate acid‐induced reproductive injury in male mice: Modulation of Nrf2 mediated oxidative stress response

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D₃ supplementation alleviates perfluorooctanesulfonate acid‐induced reproductive injury in male mice: Modulation of Nrf2 mediated oxidative stress response