Effect of vitamin C and zinc on furan induced toxicity in TM4 sertoli cells

Furan or furfuran is a colorless, volatile heterocyclic aromatic organic compound formed during heat treatment and storage techniques of food products. Furan is also used industrially as an intermediate in the production of certain compounds such as resins, varnishes, pesticides, and drugs. Recent studies have revealed that furan (C4H4O) is found at significant levels in cooked or fried cereal products, coffee, baby food, fruit juices, jars and canned foods, vegetables and meat products, biscuits, toasted wheat flour and bread crust. It has been determined that furan, which is inevitably taken into the body, negatively affects human health and causes toxicity. Furan has potential harmful effects on the skin, liver, kidney, immune system, nervous system and adipose tissue. In addition to its effects that disrupt the endocrine system, it also affects the reproductive system and causes infertility. However, there are not enough studies on the toxicological effects of furan on the male reproductive system. In in vivo studies, it was determined that testicular and seminal vesicle weight, LH and testosterone levels decreased and degeneration occurred in testicular cells in individuals exposed to furan. It also causes a decrease in testicular and epididymal sperm count. However, there are no studies to determine the damage to Sertoli cells made with furan. For this reason, it is essential to investigate how Sertoli cells, which have a very important role in feeding the sperms and supporting them during spermatogenesis, are affected by furan. Free radicals damage the cell and the organism by entering into rapid oxidation reactions with food components or components of the cells of the organism. Vitamin C contributes to minimizing the effect of free radicals and protects the cell from oxidative damage. Zinc is the second most common trace element in the human body, and since it cannot be stored in the body, it must be consumed regularly in the diet. Zinc acts as a regulator of steroid hormones such as testosterone, as well as reducing the toxic damage caused by heavy metals in the body. It collects in the testis during early spermatogenesis and plays an important role in meiosis of germ cells. Many studies have shown that dietary zinc increases sperm motility in the male reproductive system, increases protein metabolism and nucleic acid synthesis. In this study, furan at a concentration of 3 mM and in addition to furan, 50 µM vitamin C and 50 µM zinc were applied to TM4 Sertoli cells for 24 hours. After the applications, cell viability, lipid peroxidation amount, antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and apoptotic cell ratios were examined in Sertoli cells. Findings revealed that furan decreased cell viability and antioxidant enzyme activities, while increasing lipid peroxidation and apoptotic cell rates. In addition to furan, it has been determined that vitamin C and zinc applications minimize this damage caused by furan in conditions where vitamin C and zinc are applied together. These findings revealed the toxicity of furan on the TM4 Sertoli cell, which plays an important role in the male reproductive system, and the protective role of antioxidant vitamin C and zinc against this toxicity.