Melatonin alleviates ferroptosis triggered by cadmium via regulating ferritinophagy and iron metabolism in spermatogonia.

ABSTRACT: Melatonin (Mel), a classical antioxidant, has the potential to mediate ferroptosis. Cadmium (Cd) poses a substantial threat to the male reproductive system, as it can induce testicular injury by triggering ferroptosis. The study aimed to explore the protective role and mechanism of Mel in Cd-induced ferroptosis in spermatogonia (spg). Our results demonstrated that Cd disrupted the mitochondrial ultrastructure and induced more autophagosomes in spg. Exposure to Cd resulted in a reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells. The transcriptomics analysis revealed significant differences in gene expression associated with ferroptosis and autophagy. Mel could reverse the changes caused by Cd in the genes mentioned above. Furthermore, Cd increased cellular iron content and eleva

SUBMITTER: Jia D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11909107 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature