US EPA

3350288 

Journal Article 

PGE2 regulating Cx43 to affect testosterone synthesis in rats leydig cell exposed at DBP 

Zhang, J; Zhang, Yi; Zhao, JinC; Li, H 

2016 

Yes 

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology
ISSN: 1936-2625 

9 

4 

4574-4578 

WOS:000377601900034 

To observe the effect of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on connexin 43 (Cx43) proteins in rat testicular Leydig cells and testosterone secretion induced by Cx43, and to investigate whether Cx43 is involved in the regulation of testosterone by DBP. Purified Leydig cells of the primary culture were divided into 3 groups, 50 mu g/ml DBP treatment group, 50 mu g/ml DBP+ 10 mu mol/L PGE2 group and DMSO control group, which were processed for 24 hours, respectively. Expression of Cx43 on cell membrane was detected by immunofluorescence, and total protein level of Cx43 was evaluated by Western blot. Testosterone production was detected by testosterone kit. Compared with control group, Cx43 expression and testosterone levels were both significantly reduced after DBP processing for 24 hours (P<0.05). Compared with DBP group, the addition of Cx43 enhancer (PGE2) enabled Cx34 expression recovery, but the change of testosterone level was insignificant (P>0.05). Both testosterone and Cx43 can be regulated by DBP. However, the inhibitory effect of DBP on testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells may not be necessarily achieved through the regulation of Cx43 expression. 

Dibutyl phthalate; Cx43; leydig cells