Exposure to di(n-butyl)phthalate and benzo(a)pyrene alters IL-1{beta} secretion and subset expression of testicular macrophages, resulting in decreased testosterone production in rats

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2010.07.008· OSTI ID:21460216

Shanjun, Zheng ^[1]; Jia, Cao ^[2]

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1. Department of High Altitude Military Hygiene, College of High Altitude Military Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038 (China)
2. Department of Hygienic Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038 (China)

Di(n-butyl)phthalate (DBP) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) are environmental endocrine disruptors that are potentially hazardous to humans. These chemicals affect testicular macrophage immuno-endocrine function and testosterone production. However, the underlying mechanisms for these effects are not fully understood. It is well known that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1{beta}), which is secreted by testicular macrophages, plays a trigger role in regulating Leydig cell steroidogenesis. The purpose of this study was to reveal the effects of co-exposure to DBP and BaP on testicular macrophage subset expression, IL-1{beta} secretion and testosterone production. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups; two groups received DBP plus BaP (DBP + BaP: 50 + 1 or 250 + 5 mg/kg/day) four groups received DBP or BaP alone (DBP: 50 or 250 mg/kg/day; BaP: 1 or 5 mg/kg/day), and one group received vehicle alone (control). After co-exposure for 90 days, the relative expression of macrophage subsets and their functions changed. ED2{sup +} testicular macrophages (reactive with a differentiation-related antigen present on the resident macrophages) were activated and IL-1{beta} secretion was enhanced. DBP and BaP acted additively, as demonstrated by greater IL-1{beta} secretion relative to each compound alone. These observations suggest that exposure to DBP plus BaP exerted greater suppression on testosterone production compared with each compound alone. The altered balance in the subsets of testicular macrophages and the enhanced ability of resident testicular macrophages to secrete IL-1{beta}, resulted in enhanced production of IL-1{beta} as a potent steroidogenesis repressor. This may represent an important mechanism by which DBP and BaP repress steroidogenesis.

• OSTI ID: 21460216
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 248; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ANDROGENS
ANDROSTANES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
BODY
BUTYL PHOSPHATES
CONDENSED AROMATICS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DBP
ESTERS
GONADS
HORMONES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
MACROPHAGES
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHAGOCYTES
PHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS
PYRENE
RATS
RODENTS
SECRETION
SOMATIC CELLS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TESTES
TESTOSTERONE
VERTEBRATES