Investigation of the potentially toxic effects of oxybenzone sunscreen active ingredient and its main metabolite benzophenone-1 on TM3 leydig cells

The use of sunscreen has increased in recent years. However, this increase has raised concerns for both the environment and human health. Some ultraviolet filters cause damage in aquatic environments and exhibit endocrine-disrupting activity in living organisms. A decline in male fertility levels has been observed in recent years, and it is assumed that one of the reasons for this decline is the endocrine-disrupting activities of environmental pollutants. Oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3, a chemical ultraviolet filter, is commonly used in sunscreens and cosmetics. It is absorbed through the skin and enters the bloodstream, and its main metabolite is benzophenone-1. In this study, the cytotoxicity of oxybenzone and benzophenone-1 in TM3 mouse Leydig cells was evaluated using the MTT and neutral red methods. Their potential to cause DNA damage was assessed using the comet assay. Levels of reactive oxygen species formation and testosterone levels were measured. The findings indicate that benzophenone-1 may elicit stronger cytotoxic and oxidative responses in TM3 cells compared to benzophenone-3; however, under the experimental conditions evaluated, neither compound exerted a significant effect on DNA integrity or testosterone levels.