The influence of NQO2 on the dysfunctional autophagy and oxidative stress induced in the hippocampus of rats and in SH‐SY5Y cells by fluoride

Introduction For investigating the mechanism of brain injury caused by chronic fluorosis, this study was designed to determine whether NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) can influence autophagic disruption and oxidative stress induced in the central nervous system exposed to a high level of fluoride. Methods Sprague–Dawley rats drank tap water containing different concentrations of fluoride for 3 or 6 months. SH‐SY5Y cells were either transfected with NQO2 RNA interference or treated with NQO2 inhibitor or activator and at the same time exposed to fluoride. The enrichment of gene signaling pathways related to autophagy was evaluated by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis; expressions of NQO2 and autophagy‐related protein 5 (ATG5), LC3‐II and p62, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were quantified by Western‐blotting or fluorescent staining; and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assayed biochemically and reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by flow cytometry. Results In the hippocampal CA3 region of rats exposed to high fluoride, the morphological characteristics of neurons were altered; the numbers of autophagosomes in the cytoplasm and the levels of NQO2 increased; the level of p‐mTOR was decreased, and the levels of ATG5, LC3‐II and p62 were elevated; and genes related to autophagy enriched. In vitro, in addition to similar changes in NQO2, p‐mTOR, ATG5, LC3 II, and p62, exposure of SH‐SY5Y cells to fluoride enhanced MDA and ROS contents and reduced SOD activity. Inhibition of NQO2 with RNAi or an inhibitor attenuated the disturbance of the autophagic flux and enhanced oxidative stress in these cells exposed to high fluoride. Conclusion Our findings indicate that NQO2 may be involved in regulating autophagy and oxidative stress and thereby exerts an impact on brain injury caused by chronic fluorosis. We reported for the first time that NQO2 may be involved in regulating autophagy and oxidative stress and thereby exert an impact on brain injury caused by chronic fluorosis. Suppressing NQO2 expression relieves oxidative stress and restores autophagy flux in fluoride‐treated neuron cells.