p,p′-DDE Induces Apoptosis of Rat Sertoli Cells via a FasL-Dependent Pathway

Abstract EN

One,1-dichloro-2,2 bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p,p′-DDE), the major metabolite of 2,2-bis(4-Chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (DDT), is a known persistent organic pollutant and male reproductive toxicant.

It has antiandrogenic effect.

However, the mechanism by which p,p′-DDE exposure causes male reproductive toxicity remains unknown.

In the present study, rat Sertoli cells were used to investigate the molecular mechanism involved in p,p′-DDE-induced toxicity in male reproductive system.

The results indicated that p,p′-DDE exposure at over 30 μM showed the induction of apoptotic cell death.

p,p′-DDE could induce increases in FasL mRNA and protein, which could be blocked by an antioxidant agent, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC).

In addition, caspase-3 and -8 were activated by p,p′-DDE treatment in these cells.

The activation of NF-κB was enhanced with the increase of p,p′-DDE dose.

Taken together, these results suggested that exposure to p,p′-DDE might induce apoptosis of rat Sertoli cells through a FasL-dependent pathway.