Effect of Heavy Metal Cd on Progesterone Biosynthesis of R2C Cells

Abstract:

The effect of heavy metal Cd on progesterone synthesis pathways of R2C Cells were explored in this research，MTT assay was used to select different concentrations（IC25，IC50 and IC75） of CdSO4. And then R2C cells were stimulated by the three concentrations（IC25，IC50 and IC75） of CdSO4. Radioimmunoassay（RIA） was used to detect the progesterone biosynthesis. Flow cytometry（FCM） assay was used to detect the change in mitochondrial membrane potential（MMP）. The reactive oxygen species（ROS） were detected by ROS kit. The expression levels of StAR and CYP11A1 proteins were measured by Western Blot. The results showed that CdSO4 could inhibit the proliferation of R2C cells，and concentrations of IC25，IC50 and IC75 were（24.93±0.023 5）、（44.80±0.047 9）、（80.51±0.035 7）μmol/L. All of the three concentrations of CdSO4（IC25，IC50 and IC75） could inhibit progesterone biosynthesis，improve the production of ROS and increase the damage ratio of mitochondrial membrane. CdSO4 could also decrease the expression of StAR and CYP11A1. Conclsion：heavy metal Cd could stimulate R2C to produce excessive reactive oxygen species，decrease the level of StAR and CYP11A1，and in turn affect the normal function of mitochondria，ultimately affect the synthesis of progesterone.