Abstract

Lead (Pb) exists widely in soil and seriously threatens agricultural soil and food crops. Pb can cause serious damage to organs. In this study, the animal model of Pb-induced rat testicular injury and the cell model of Pb-induced TM4 Sertoli cell injury were established to verify whether the testicular toxicity of Pb was related to pyroptosis-mediated fibrosis. The results of experiment in vivo showed that Pb could cause oxidative stress and up-regulated the expression levels of inflammation, pyroptosis, and fibrosis-related proteins in the testis of rats. The results of experiments in vitro showed that Pb induced the cell damage, enhanced the reactive oxygen species level in the TM4 Sertoli cells. After using nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor and Caspase-1 inhibitor, the elevation of TM4 Sertoli cell inflammation, pyroptosis, and fibrosis-related proteins induced by Pb exposure was significantly decreased. Taken together, Pb can cause pyroptosis-targeted fibrosis and ultimately issues in testicular damage.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.