Furan impairs cell function by inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis in mouse Sertoli cells in vitro

Research on heat-induced food contaminants, such as furan, has shown its harmful effects on various systems. However, the impact of furan on Sertoli cells, a crucial male reproductive system cell, has not been studied. The investigation involved the treatment of furan to TM4 Sertoli cells at various concentrations (750, 1500, and 3000 µM) over a period of 24 h. This in vitro study determined that furan causes a decrease in Sertoli cell viability and an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity, leading to cytotoxicity. Additionally, we observed an increase in MDA, one of the oxidative stress markers, in Sertoli cells, indicating that furan exposure leads to lipid peroxidation. It was determined that enzyme activities in the antioxidant defense system in Sertoli cells decreased after furan exposure. The findings indicate that furan induces oxidative damage in Sertoli cells by impairing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and promoting the production of ROS. This study discovered that furan triggers apoptosis in Sertoli cells by damaging DNA and altering the expression levels of apoptotic genes. Moreover, results suggest that furan causes cellular toxicity and apoptosis, leading to damage to Sertoli cells and thus causing male infertility.