Zinc Protects against MDMA-Induced Apoptosis of Sertoli Cells in Mouse via Attenuation of Caspase-3
Nadia Hossein-Zadeh, Morteza Bagheri, Isa Abdi Rad, Marziyeh Lozeie, Mahdieh Nasir-Zadeh
International Journal of Fertility and Sterility November 9, 2020 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2020.44410 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA (ecstasy) exposure reduces the viability of cultured Sertoli cells and increases expression of the apoptosis-related gene caspase-3. Pre-treatment with a low concentration of zinc (8 μM) attenuates this effect, lowering caspase-3 mRNA levels and suggesting a protective role against MDMA-induced cell death. The mean caspase-3 mRNA fold change was 3.98 in cells treated with 5 mM MDMA, 0.31 in cells treated with 8 μM zinc alone, and 1.72 in cells pre-treated with zinc before MDMA, compared to untreated controls. Only the MDMA-only group showed a statistically significant difference from controls.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cultured Sertoli cells |
| Interventions | MDMA Zinc |
| Dose | 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 mM MDMA; 0, 8, 16, 32, 64 μM Zinc; Zinc (8 μM) prior to MDMA (5 mM) |
| Duration | 24 and 48 hours |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Apoptosis Caspase-3 Sertoli cells Zinc |
| Key finding | Zinc pre-treatment reduces MDMA-induced apoptosis in Sertoli cells by down-regulating caspase-3 gene expression. |
Abstract
Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) disrupts function of the endocrine system and differentorgans such as heart, blood vessels, kidney, liver and nervous systems. This study was conducted to evaluateimpact of MDMA on apoptosis and Zinc in the MDMA-induced apoptosis of cultured Sertoli cells by measuringCaspase-3 gene expression.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Sertoli cells were incubated with MDMA (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 mM),Zinc (0, 8, 16, 32, 64 μM) and Zinc (8 μM) prior to adding MDMA (5 mM) for 24 and 48 hours. MTT assay wasused for evaluating impacts of these conditions on the viability of Sertoli cells. Caspase-3 gene expression level wasdetected using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in all of the tested groups.Results: Finding showed that cellular viability was decreased and level of Caspase-3 mRNA was increased in MDMAtreated cells. Additionally, pre-treatment with Zinc (8 μM) attenuated MDMA-induced apoptosis and down-regulatedcaspase-3. The mean of caspase-3 mRNA level (fold change ± SE) was 3.98 ± 1.18, 0.31 ± 0.28, and 1.72 ± 0.28 in respectivelyMDMA (5 mM), Zinc (8 μM), and Zinc+MDMA groups vs. control group. The mean of Caspase-3 mRNA(fold change) was not statistically different in the tested groups (P>0.05), unless MDMA (5 mM) group (P = 0.008).Conclusion: We suggest that MDMA toxicity could be involved in apoptosis of Sertoli cells. In addition, Zinc couldreduce MDMA-induced apoptosis by down-regulation of Caspase-3 mRNA levels.