title: Integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis of rat testis: Mechanism of arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity.
abstract: Arsenic is a widespread metalloid in environment, whose exposure has been associated with a broad spectrum of toxic effects. However, a global view of arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity is still lack, and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Our results revealed that arsenic exposure decreased testosterone level and reduced sperm quality in rats. By conducting an integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis, the present study aims to investigate the global influence of arsenic exposure on the proteome and metabolome in rat testis. The abundance of 70 proteins (36 up-regulated and 34 down-regulated) and 13 metabolites (8 increased and 5 decreased) were found to be significantly altered by arsenic treatment. Among these, 19 proteins and 2 metabolites were specifically related to male reproductive system development and function, including spermatogenesis, sperm function and fertilization, fertility, internal genitalia development, and mating behavior. It is further proposed that arsenic mainly impaired spermatogenesis and fertilization via aberrant modulation of these male reproduction-related proteins and metabolites, which may be mediated by the ERK/AKT/NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway. Overall, these findings will aid our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity, and from such studies useful biomarkers indicative of arsenic exposure could be discovered.
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.|Ningbo Urban Environment Observation and Research Station-NUEORS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315800, PR China.
authors: Qingyu
authors: Q
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen 361008, PR China.
authors: Lianzhong
authors: L
authors: Luo
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Ambreen
authors: A
authors: Alamdar
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Liangpo
authors: L
authors: Liu
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Meiping
authors: M
authors: Tian
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah
authors: SA
authors: Eqani
authors: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China.
authors: Heqing
authors: H
authors: Shen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D055442:Metabolome / Q000187:drug effects; D055432:Metabolomics; D020543:Proteome / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012984:Software; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006728:Hormones; D020543:Proteome; D001151:Arsenic