The downregulation of PEPCK mediated cuproptosis is involved in triclosan induced reproductive damage in mouse testes

Yanjun Ding1, Yifan Hong1, Xiazhu Zhou1

  • 1Department of Urology Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders. 400014, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Structural Birth Defect and Reconstruction. 400014, Chongqing, China; Children Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering of Chongqing Education Commission of China, Chongqing, 400014, China.

Insights

Triclosan (TCS) exposure damages male reproductive health by inhibiting PEPCK and activating cuproptosis, driven by oxidative stress. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and PEPCK overexpression offer potential therapeutic avenues.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Cellular Toxicology
  • Antimicrobial Agent Research

Background:

  • Triclosan (TCS) is a common antimicrobial with known male reproductive toxicity.
  • The precise mechanisms underlying TCS-induced testicular injury remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of testicular damage caused by Triclosan (TCS).
  • To investigate the role of Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and cuproptosis in TCS toxicity.
  • To identify potential therapeutic interventions for TCS-related reproductive injury.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were administered varying doses of TCS (0, 20, 40 mg/kg) from postnatal day 56 to 84.
  • In vitro studies exposed TM4 cells to TCS (0, 5, 10 nM) for 24 hours.
  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers (N-Acetylcysteine) and PEPCK overexpression were used to assess rescue effects.
  • Drug prediction was performed using Connectivity Map (cMap).

Main Results:

  • TCS exposure led to decreased sperm counts and increased sperm deformity in mice.
  • TCS induced oxidative stress, PEPCK inhibition, and cuproptosis activation in TM4 cells.
  • N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and PEPCK overexpression rescued TCS-induced inhibition and cuproptosis.
  • Flubendazole and cucurbitacin-i were identified as potential therapeutic agents.

Conclusions:

  • TCS triggers cuproptosis in TM4 cells via ROS-induced PEPCK inhibition.
  • This study provides insights into the precise treatment of TCS-related male reproductive injury.
  • Targeting PEPCK and mitigating ROS may be key therapeutic strategies.

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