FLUORIDE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE DAMAGE AND DNA-PROTEIN CROSSLINKS IN TM3 MOUSE LEYDIG CELLS

This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effect of fluoride (F) on oxidative damage and DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) in TM3 mouse Leydig cells. Sodium fluoride at concentrations of 0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 [mu]mol/L was administered to TM3 mouse Leydig cells for 24 hr. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), along with the contents of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), plus the levels of DPCs were determined. The results showed that F administration significantly altered the levels of all of these factors compared to those of the control. The activities of antioxidant enzymes and GSH contents showed a dose-dependent decrease, the levels of lipid peroxidation and DPCs showed a dose-dependent increase. Combining all the data, the results suggest that F induces the oxidation hyperirritability in cultures of TM3 mouse Leydig cells, resulting in DPCs.