Effects of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release.

Saleh Alwasel,Alexander V Sirotkin,Adriana Vachanová,Adam Tarko,Sandra Hrabovszká,Andrej Baláži,Jan Kotwica,Abdel Halim Harrath,Katarína Jedličková,Abdulkarem Alrezaki,Aneta Štochmal'Ová

doi:10.5194/aab-62-345-2019

Abstract

We hypothesized that the environmental contaminant benzene and the plant antioxidant quercetin may affect ovarian cell functions and that quercetin could offer protection against the adverse effects of benzene. This study aimed to examine the action of benzene, quercetin, and their combination on porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions. We elucidated the effects of benzene (20 g mL), quercetin (at the doses 0, 1, 10, 100 g mL), and their combination on ovarian granulosa cell functions (proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release) in vitro using immunocytochemistry and enzyme immunoassay respectively. Benzene alone stimulated proliferation, apoptosis, and oxytocin release and inhibited progesterone and prostaglandin F release. Quercetin alone inhibited proliferation, apoptosis, and stimulated oxytocin release but did not affect progesterone and prostaglandin F release. When used in combination with benzene, quercetin promoted the inhibitory effect of benzene on progesterone release. Overall, these data suggest that benzene and quercetin have direct stimulatory and inhibitory effects, respectively, on basic ovarian functions. Moreover, no protective action of quercetin against the effects of benzene was found. Rather, it was found to enhance the effect of benzene on progesterone release. Therefore, quercetin cannot be considered for preventing or mitigating the effects of benzene on reproductive processes.

Highlights

Benzene is a common industrial chemical, a component of gasoline, and a constituent of engine emissions and tobacco smoke (Kalf, 1987)
After 96 h of culture, when the cells created a monolayer of 75 %, the medium was replaced with a fresh one that was supplemented with one of the following treatment conditions: (1) control groups without treatment of quercetin (Q) extract (AppliChem GmbH, Germany; 0 μg mL−1 of quercetin), (2) groups treated with Q extract (1, 10, and 100 μg mL−1), (3) a control group treated with benzene (20 and 0 μg mL−1 of Q)
Our results showed that the administration of benzene stimulated proliferation and apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells

Summary

Introduction

Benzene is a common industrial chemical, a component of gasoline, and a constituent of engine emissions and tobacco smoke (Kalf, 1987). It is a known human carcinogen and numerous case reports and epidemiological studies have provided evidence of a causal relationship between exposure of females to benzene and abnormal menstrual cycles, severe bleeding, convulsions, and a higher rate of aborted pregnancies. The mechanisms underlying the action of benzene on the female reproductive system remain unclear. If the direct action of benzene on the ovary could be detected, its mechanisms would require further examination

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