The impact of furan exposure on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells: cellular and molecular observations

Furan is an organic compound that occurs as a result of heat treatment during the processing and cooking of many food products. Furthermore, the environment contains furan in tobacco smoke and vehicle exhaust gases, and it serves as an intermediate molecule in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical and chemical agents, pesticides, and stabilizers. Studies on the male reproductive system have not been able to elucidate the pathway through which furan exerts its negative effects.

In this study, the TM3 Leydig cell line was exposed to various furan concentrations (0.03, 0.3, and 3 mM) for 24 h. In order to assess the cytotoxic effects of furan on Leydig cells, we examined cell viability, cell proliferation, and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme levels. To investigate the detrimental effects of furan on testosterone biosynthesis, quantitative analyses were conducted on cAMP and testosterone levels, as well as the expression levels of key genes and transcription factors implicated in the steroidogenic pathway. The results indicate that furan inhibited the viability and proliferation of Leydig cells and enhanced the activity of lactate dehydrogenase. Leydig cells administered to furan exhibited notable reductions in cAMP and testosterone levels. Additionally, while the expression levels of steroidogenic genes were downregulated, significant changes were detected in the expression levels of the transcription factors responsible for the regulation of these genes.

Consequently, our findings suggest that furan exerts inhibitory effects on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells through multiple mechanisms, ultimately leading to infertility by inducing dysfunction in Leydig cells.