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Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II

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A special issue of Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 15187

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Dr. Alica Pizent

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Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: human biomonitoring; metals/metalloids; pesticides; oxidative stress; antioxidants; combined exposure and interactions; health effects; metabolomics; biomarkers; analytical chemistry
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Dr. Eva Tvrdá

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Guest Editor

The Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Interests: reproductive biology; andrology; toxicology; oxidative stress; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This is the second volume of our previous Special Issue called "Oxidative Stress Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development” https://www.mdpi.com/journal/antioxidants/special_issues/Oxidative_Stress_Reproductive_Health. We would like to further explore the role of oxidative stress in reproductive and developmental health disorders induced by environmental and lifestyle stressors.

Many environmental and lifestyle factors exert their toxic effects on reproductive health and development through impaired antioxidant defence and oxidative damage. Moreover, the environmental exposure and lifestyle of parents may have an important role in the programming of the future health and disease of offspring, and oxidative stress may be a key mediator in this programming. The identification of risk factors and understanding the complex mechanisms underlying the various reproductive and developmental health disorders represent research priorities. Comprehensive research using novel “omics” technologies and bioinformatics can provide a more holistic perspective and better understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind these adverse health effects. This Special Issue of Antioxidants entitled “Oxidative Stress Induced by Environmental Stressors: Impact on the Reproductive Health and Development 2” focuses on the latest research related, but not restricted to:

Reproductive and developmental toxicity of metals/metalloids, pesticides, mycotoxins, phthalates, bisphenol A, parabens and flame retardants;
Contribution of smoking, alcohol, drug of abuse, nutrition and obesity to oxidative stress and adverse health effects;
Adverse effects of circadian rhythm disruption (chronodisruption) on reproductive health and development;
Ameliorative/beneficial effects of antioxidants;
Parameters of oxidative stress/antioxidant defence as potential novel biomarkers of reproductive and developmental health disorders;
Proteomic and metabolomic signature of oxidative stress;
Role of oxidative stress in epigenetic modification of reproductive health and development.

Of particular interests are studies on low-level exposure and effects of multiple toxicants/stressors and their interactions. Both observational (human biomonitoring) and experimental (in vivo and in vitro) studies are welcome. We invite authors in the field to submit their original articles, reviews, perspectives and short communications on this important topic.

Dr. Alica Pizent
Dr. Eva Tvrdá
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

foetal programming (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease)
reproductive toxicology
human biomonitoring
fertility
pregnancy
offspring
cancers of the reproductive system
biomarker discovery
“omics”
epigenetics
antioxidants

Published Papers (7 papers)

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15 pages, 2410 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smoking Induces a Decline in Semen Quality and the Activation of Stress Response Pathways in Sperm

by Magda Carvalho Henriques, Joana Santiago, António Patrício, Maria Teresa Herdeiro, Susana Loureiro and Margarida Fardilha

Antioxidants 2023, 12(10), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12101828 - 04 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2084

Abstract

Male infertility is a prevalent concern affecting couples worldwide. While genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive system defects play significant roles, emerging evidence suggests that lifestyle choices also profoundly impact male fertility. This study aimed to explore the effects of several lifestyle factors, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary habits, on semen quality parameters and molecular biomarkers. Thirty healthy male volunteers were recruited in the Urology service at Hospital Infante D. Pedro, Aveiro, Portugal. Participants completed lifestyle questionnaires and provided semen samples, which were analyzed according to the World Health Organization criteria by experienced technicians. We also analyzed the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes and heat-shock response-related proteins to explore the activation of signaling pathways involved in stress response within sperm cells. Our results revealed that tobacco consumption reduced semen volume and total sperm count. Although the changes in the percentage of total motility and normal morphology in the smokers’ group did not reach statistical significance, a slight decrease was observed. Moreover, we identified for the first time a significant association between tobacco consumption and increased levels of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and phosphorylated HSP27 (p-HSP27) in sperm cells, indicating the potential detrimental effects of tobacco on the reproductive system. This study highlights that lifestyle factors reduce semen quality, possibly by inducing stress in sperm, raising awareness about the effects of these risk factors among populations at risk of male infertility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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17 pages, 2343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oxidative Stress, Cytotoxic and Inflammatory Effects of Azoles Combinatorial Mixtures in Sertoli TM4 Cells

by Sabrina Petricca, Veronica Carnicelli, Carla Luzi, Benedetta Cinque, Giuseppe Celenza and Roberto Iorio

Antioxidants 2023, 12(6), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12061142 - 24 May 2023

Viewed by 1692

Abstract

Triazole and imidazole fungicides are an emerging class of contaminants with an increasing and ubiquitous presence in the environment. In mammals, their reproductive toxicity has been reported. Concerning male reproduction, a combinatorial activity of tebuconazole (TEB; triazole fungicide) and econazole (ECO; imidazole compound) in inducing mitochondrial impairment, energy depletion, cell cycle arrest, and the sequential activation of autophagy and apoptosis in Sertoli TM4 cells (SCs) has recently been demonstrated. Given the strict relationship between mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the causative role of oxidative stress (OS) in male reproductive dysfunction, the individual and combined potential of TEB and ECO in inducing redox status alterations and OS was investigated. Furthermore, considering the impact of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in modulating male fertility, protein expression levels were assessed. In the present study, we demonstrate that azoles-induced cytotoxicity is associated with a significant increase in ROS production, a drastic reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-S-transferase activity levels, and a marked increase in the levels of oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. Exposure to azoles also induced COX-2 expression and increased TNF-α production. Furthermore, pre-treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) mitigates ROS accumulation, attenuates COX-2 expression and TNF-α production, and rescues SCs from azole-induced apoptosis, suggesting a ROS-dependent molecular mechanism underlying the azole-induced cytotoxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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22 pages, 7936 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Moringa olifera Ethanolic Extract Lessens Acrylamide-Induced Testicular Damage, Apoptosis, and Steroidogenesis-Related Gene Dysregulation in Adult Rats

by Gomaa Mostafa-Hedeab, Amany Behairy, Yasmina M. Abd-Elhakim, Amany Abdel-Rahman Mohamed, Ahmed E. Noreldin, Naief Dahran, Rasha A. Gaber, Leena S. Alqahtani, Walaa M. Essawi, Areej A. Eskandrani and Eman S. El-Shetry

Antioxidants 2023, 12(2), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12020361 - 02 Feb 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2817

Abstract

This study assessed the possible protective role of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Moringa olifera leaf extract (MO-ZNPs) in acrylamide (ACR)-induced reproductive dysfunctions in male rats. ACR (20 mg/kg b.wt/day) and/or MO-ZNPs (10 mg/kg b.wt/day) were given orally by gastric gavage for 60 days. Then, sperm parameters; testicular enzymes; oxidative stress markers; reproductive hormones including testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH)-estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration; testis histology; steroidogenesis-related gene expression; and apoptotic markers were examined. The findings revealed that MO-ZNPs significantly ameliorated the ACR-induced decline in the gonadosomatic index and altered the pituitary–gonadal axis, reflected by decreased serum testosterone and FSH with increased estradiol and LH, and sperm analysis disruption. Furthermore, a notable restoration of the tissue content of antioxidants (catalase and reduced glutathione) but depletion of malondialdehyde was evident in MO-ZNPs+ACR-treated rats compared to ACR-exposed ones. In addition, MO-ZNPs oral dosing markedly rescued the histopathological changes and apoptotic caspase-3 reactions in the testis resulting from ACR exposure. Furthermore, in MO-ZNPs+ACR-treated rats, ACR-induced downregulation of testicular steroidogenesis genes and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immune-expression were reversed. Conclusively, MO-ZNPs protected male rats from ACR-induced reproductive toxicity by suppressing oxidative injury and apoptosis while boosting steroidogenesis and sex hormones. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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13 pages, 3057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Downregulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Juglone-Treated Bovine Oocytes

by Marwa El-Sheikh, Ayman Mesalam, Atif Ali Khan Khalil, Muhammad Idrees, Mi-Jeong Ahn, Ahmed Atef Mesalam and Il-Keun Kong

Antioxidants 2023, 12(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010114 - 03 Jan 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

We have previously reported that juglone, a natural compound found in Juglandaceae with a wide range of biological activities, can reduces the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. In the current study, we investigated the possible mechanisms behind the toxicity of juglone and the relationship with PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling during the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Results show that oocyte exposure to juglone was associated with a significant decrease in filamentous actin (F-actin) accumulation. The RT-qPCR showed downregulation of the meiosis progression indicator GSK-3A, oocyte development marker BMP15, mitochondria fusion controlling MFN1, oxidative stress-related OGG1, and histone methylation-related EZH1, EZH2, SUZ12, G9a, and SUV39H2 genes in juglone-treated oocytes. In addition, glycolysis- (PFK1 and GLUT1), ATP synthesis- (ATPase8 and ATP5F1B), and OXPHOS-specific markers (SDHA and SDHD), as well as the oocyte survival regulators (SOD2, VEGF, and MAPK1) significantly decreased upon juglone treatment. Moreover, lower expression of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR was observed at the transcriptional and/or translational level(s). The autophagy markers LC3B and beclin-1 as well as the DNA damage-specific marker 8-OxoG displayed overexpression in juglone-exposed oocytes. Taken together, our results show that administration of juglone during the IVM can reduce the quality and developmental health of bovine oocytes through downregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its downstream signaling cascades. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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18 pages, 599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Exposure to Metals, Parameters of Oxidative Stress in Blood and Prostate Cancer: Results from Two Cohorts

by Alica Pizent, Milena Anđelković, Blanka Tariba Lovaković, Tanja Živković Semren, Aleksandra Buha Djordjevic, Marija Gamulin, Vera Bonderović, Miodrag Aćimović and Zorica Bulat

Antioxidants 2022, 11(10), 2044; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11102044 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1617

Abstract

We studied the potential role of exposure to various metal(oid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb) in prostate cancer. Two cohorts were established: the Croatian cohort, consisting of 62 cases and 30 controls, and the Serbian cohort, consisting of 41 cases and 61 controls. Blood/serum samples were collected. Levels of investigated metal(oid)s, various parameters of oxidative stress, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were determined in collected samples. A comparison of the measured parameters between 103 prostate cancer patients and 91 control men from both Croatian and Serbian cohorts showed significantly higher blood Hg, SOD, and GPx levels and significantly lower serum SH levels in prostate cancer patients than in controls. Correlation analyses revealed the significant relationship between certain parameters of oxidative stress and the concentrations of the measured metal(loid)s, pointing to the possible role of metal(oid)-induced oxidative stress imbalance. Furthermore, a significant inverse relationship was found between the blood Pb and the serum PSA in prostate cancer patients, but when the model was adjusted for the impacts of remaining parameters, no significant association between the serum PSA and the measured parameters was found. The results of the overall study indicate a substantial contribution of the measured metal(loid)s to the imbalance of the oxidant/antioxidant system. Although somewhat conflicting, the results of the present study point to the possible role of investigated metal(oid)s in prostate cancer, especially for Hg, since the obtained relationship was observed for both cohorts, followed by the disturbances in oxidative stress status, which were found to be correlated with Hg levels. Nevertheless, further studies in larger cohorts are warranted to explain and confirm the obtained results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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20 pages, 3419 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Intervention with Blackcurrant Pomace Protects Rats from Testicular Oxidative Stress Induced by Exposition to Biodiesel Exhaust

by Michał Oczkowski, Jacek Wilczak, Katarzyna Dziendzikowska, Johan Øvrevik, Oddvar Myhre, Anna Lankoff, Marcin Kruszewski and Joanna Gromadzka-Ostrowska

Antioxidants 2022, 11(8), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11081562 - 12 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1875

Abstract

The exposure to diesel exhaust emissions (DEE) contributes to negative health outcomes and premature mortality. At the same time, the health effects of the exposure to biodiesel exhaust emission are still in scientific debate. The aim of presented study was to investigate in an animal study the effects of exposure to DEE from two types of biodiesel fuels, 1st generation B7 biodiesel containing 7% of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) or 2nd generation biodiesel (SHB20) containing 7% of FAME and 13% of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), on the oxidative stress in testes and possible protective effects of dietary intervention with blackcurrant pomace (BC). Adult Fisher344/DuCrl rats were exposed by inhalation (6 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks) to 2% of DEE from B7 or SHB20 fuel mixed with air. The animals from B7 (n = 14) and SHB20 (n = 14) groups subjected to filtered by a diesel particulate filter (DPF) or unfiltered DEE were maintained on standard feed. The rats from B7+BC (n = 12) or SHB20+BC (n = 12), exposed to DEE in the same way, were fed with feed supplemented containing 2% (m/m) of BC. The exposure to exhaust emissions from 1st and 2nd generation biodiesel resulted in induction of oxidative stress in the testes. Higher concentration of the oxidative stress markers thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), 25-dihydroxycholesterols (25(OH)2Ch), and 7-ketocholesterol (7-KCh) level), as well as decreased level of antioxidant defense systems such as reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH/GSSG ratio, and increased level of oxidized glutathione (GSSG)) were found. Dietary intervention reduced the concentration of TBARS, 7-KCh, LOOHs, and the GSSG level, and elevated the GSH level in testes. In conclusion, DEE-induced oxidative stress in the testes was related to the biodiesel feedstock and the application of DPF. The SHB20 DEE without DPF technology exerted the most pronounced toxic effects. Dietary intervention with BC in rats exposed to DEE reduced oxidative stress in testes and improved antioxidative defense parameters, however the redox balance in the testes was not completely restored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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21 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Heavy Metals and Essential Elements in Association with Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—A Systematic Review

by Tinkara Srnovršnik, Irma Virant-Klun and Bojana Pinter

Antioxidants 2023, 12(7), 1398; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071398 - 07 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1725

Abstract

Altered levels of heavy metals and essential elements have been associated with oxidative stress (OS) and metabolic and hormonal changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to summarize the knowledge on the association of heavy metals and essential elements with OS in PCOS. An electronic literature search using PubMed for studies published between January 2008 and April 2023 was conducted. We evaluated heavy metals and essential elements in relation to OS in PCOS in 15 articles. PCOS women had increased antimonium (Sb), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), tellurium (Te), thallium (Tl) and osmium (Os) blood levels and decreased zinc (Zn) blood levels; the results of copper (Cu) blood levels were conflicting. Some studies showed a significant correlation between heavy metals (Sb, Cd, Pb, Hg, As, Te and Tl) and essential elements (Se, Zn, Cr, Ca, Mg and Cu) and markers of OS and chronic inflammation. Heavy metals (Sb, Cd, Pb and Hg) and essential elements (Zn, Cr, Se, Ca, Mg and Cu) were associated with metabolic and hormonal characteristics in PCOS. There might be a possible benefit from supplementation therapy in reducing OS and endocrinological problems related to PCOS. Our review confirmed an association between heavy metals and essential elements with OS in PCOS women. This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42023418453. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oxidative Stress-Induced by Environmental and Lifestyle Stressors: Impact on Reproductive Health and Development II)

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