N-Acetyl-L-cysteine attenuates titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2 NP)-induced autophagy in male germ cells

• Published in: Environmental toxicology and pharmacology Vol. 108; p. 104466
• Main Authors: Shin, Beom-Jin, Kim, Bang-Jin, Paeng, Eun-Ji, Rifkin, Jack Tyler, Moon, Sung-Hwan, Shin, Seung Hee, Ryu, Buom-Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: autophagy; male germ cells; reactive oxygen species; titanium dioxide nanoparticles; RT; autophagy; JNK; titanium dioxide nanoparticles; EDTA; MAPK; AO; DMEM; NAC; PI3K; FBS; IC50; ROS; reactive oxygen species; mTOR; DCFDA; TiO2 NPs; DPBS; LC3; male germ cells; ERK
• ISSN: 1382-6689; 1872-7077; 1872-7077
• DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104466

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used in consumer products, raising concerns about their impact on human health. This study investigates the effects of TiO2 NPs on male germ cells while focusing on cell proliferation inhibition and underlying mechanisms. This was done by utilizing mouse GC-1 spermatogonia cells, an immortalized spermatogonia cell line. TiO2 NPs induced a concentration-dependent proliferation inhibition with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Notably, TiO2 NPs induced autophagy and decreased ERK phosphorylation. Treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) alleviated TiO2 NPs-induced autophagy, restored ERK phosphorylation, and promoted cell proliferation. These findings call attention to the reproductive risks posed by TiO2 NPs while also highlighting NAC as a possible protective agent against reproductive toxins. •TiO2 NPs inhibit male germ cell proliferation through the ROS generation.•TiO2 NPs augment ROS stress, activating autophagy and suppressing ERK phosphorylation.•N-Acetyl-l-cysteine restores autophgy, ERK phosphorylation, and proliferation.•The inhibition of ROS holds promise for intervention in TiO2 NPs toxicity.