Baicalin Protects Mouse Testis From Injury Induced by PM 2.5 Associated With the DKK1‐Wnt/β‐Catenin Signaling Pathway
Lili Deng, Juan Wang, Shuyin Li, Yaping Mao, Ye Sun, Qiaoqiao Yang, Zhenghui Xie, Chen Zhang, Shuo Gong, Chunling Xiao, Mingyue MaABSTRACT
Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) has a damaging effect on the male reproductive system. Baicalin has excellent anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant pharmacological functions. The main purpose of this study was to investigate whether baicalin had a protective effect against PM 2.5 ‐induced damage to the reproductive system of mice, and to further investigate the mechanism of the protective effect of baicalin. In our experiment, baicalin was administered by gavage 1 h before PM 2.5 exposure, followed by exposure to PM 2.5 with an oral‐nasal exposure system at 750 μg/m 3 for 4 h/day, and this experiment was continued for 45 days until the model was established. The results indicated that PM 2.5 exposure decreased testicular weight and organ coefficient, sperm count, and serum testosterone level, and down‐regulated the mRNA and protein expressions of StAR, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1, which related to testosterone synthesis. After baicalin treatment, our experimental results showed that the 50 and 100 mg/kg baicalin groups showed a gradual increase in sperm counts, testosterone levels, and a significant restoration of genes and protein related to testosterone synthesis and the DKK1‐Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, baicalin might play a protective role in promoting testicular tissue repair, and this may be associated with the regulation of the DKK1 ‐ Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.