Perfluorinated iodine alkanes promote the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells by regulating estrogen receptor signaling

Investigating the development toxicity of perfuorinated iodine alkanes(PFIs)is critical,given their estrogenic effects through binding with estrogen receptors(ERs).In the present study,two PFIs,including dodecafuoro-1,6-diiodohexane(PFHx DI)and tridecafuorohexyl iodide(PFHx I),with binding preference to ERαand ERβ,respectively,were selected to evaluate their effects on proliferation and differentiation of the mouse embryonic stem cells(m ESCs).The results revealed that,similar to E_(2),50μmol/L PFHx DI accelerated the cell proliferation of the m ESCs.The PFI stimulation at the exposure concentrations of 2–50μmol/L promoted the differentiation of the m ESCs as characterized by the upregulation of differentiation-related biomarkers(i.e.,Otx2 and Dnmt3β)and downregulation of pluripotency genes(i.e.,Oct4,Nanog,Sox2,Prdm14 and Rex1).Comparatively,PFHx DI exhibited higher induction effect on the differentiation of the m ESCs than did PFHx I.The tests on ER signaling indicated that both PFI compounds induced exposure concentration-dependent expressions of ER signaling-related biomarkers(i.e.,ERα,ERβand Caveolin-1)in the m ESCs,and the downstream ER responsive genes(i.e.,c-fos,c-myc and c-jun)well responded to PFHx I stimulation.The role of ER in PFI-induced effects on the m ESCs was further validated by the antagonistic experiments using an ER inhibitor(ICI).The findings demonstrated that PFIs triggered ER signaling,and perturbed the differentiation program of the m ESCs,causing the potential health risk during early stage of development.

Cardiac energy metabolism disorder mediated by energy substrate imbalance and mitochondrial damage upon tebuconazole exposure

Tebuconazole exposure has been described as an increasing hazard to human health.An increasing number of recent studies have shown a positive association between tebuconazole exposure and cardiovascular disease risk,which is characterized by the reduction of adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis.However,researches on the damage of tebuconazole exposure to energy metabolism and the related molecular mechanisms are limited.In the present study,male C57BL/6 mice were treated with tebuconazole at different low concentrations for 4 weeks.The results indicated that tebuconazole could accumulate in the heart and further induce the decrease of ATP content in the mouse heart.Importantly,tebuconazole induced an obvious shift in substrate utilization of fatty acid and glucose by disrupting their corresponding transporters(GLUT1,GLUT4,CD36,FABP3 and FATP1)expression,and significantly repressed the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis(Gabpa and Tfam)and oxidative phosphorylation(CS,Ndufa4,Sdhb,Cox5a and Atp5b)related genes in a dosedependent manner.Further investigation revealed that these alterations were related to the IRS1/AKT and PPARγ/RXRαpathways.These findings contribute to a better understanding of triazole fungicide-induced cardiovascular disease by revealing the key indicators associated with this phenomenon.

PM2.5 exposure induces age-dependent hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in female mice

Particulate matter exposure has been described to elevate the risk of lung and cardiovascular diseases.An increasing number of recent studies have indicated positive correlations between PM2.5(the fraction of airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than2.5 μm) exposure and the risk of liver diseases.However,research on the effects of PM2.5exposure on liver fat synthesis,secretion,and clearance mechanisms under normal diet conditions is limited,and whether these effects are age-dependent is largely unknown.Female C57BL/6 mice at different ages(4 weeks(4 w),4 months(4 m),and 10 months(10 m))were treated with 3 mg/kg body weight of PM2.5 every other day for 4 weeks.Subsequently,the ultrastructural changes of liver,the expression of genes involved in oxidative damage and lipid metabolism in the liver were examined.Observation of hepatic ultrastructure showed more and larger lipid droplets in the livers of 4-week-old and 10-month-old mice exposed to PM2.5.Further analysis showed that PM2.5 exposure increased the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis,but decreased the expression of genes involved in lipid transport and catabolism in the livers of 10-month-old mice.Our findings suggest that exposure to PM2.5 disrupts the normal metabolism of liver lipids and induces lipid accumulation in the liver of female mice in an age-dependent manner,with older mice being more susceptible to PM2.5.

Abnormal energy metabolism and tau phosphorylation in the brains of middle-aged mice in response to atmospheric PM2.5 exposure

In light of the accelerated aging of the global population and the deterioration of the atmosphere pollution, we sought to clarify the potential mechanisms by which fine particulate matter（PM_（2.5）） can cause cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through the alteration of mitochondrial structure and function. The results indicate that PM_（2.5） inhalation reduces ATP production by disrupting the aerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, thereby causing the hypophosphorylation of tau in the cortices of middle-aged mice. Furthermore, excessive reactive oxygen species generation was involved in the impairment. Interestingly, these alterations were partially reversed after exposure to PM_（2.5） ended. These findings clarify the mechanism involved in mitochondrial abnormality-related neuropathological dysfunction in response to atmospheric PM_（2.5） inhalation and provide an optimistic sight for alleviating the adverse health outcomes in polluted areas.