Ovarian Damages Produced by Aerosolized Fine Particulate Matter (PM(2.5)) Pollution in Mice: Possible Protective Medications and Mechanisms

BACKGROUND: Ambient aerosol fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) is associated with male reproductive toxicity in experiments and may have adverse effects in the female. However, studies evaluating the protective effects and precise mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone against toxic effects of PM(2.5) are sparse. This study was conducted to investigate the possible protective effects and mechanisms of aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or ozone on fertility in female mice treated with PM(2.5). METHODS: Eighty-four ICR mice were divided into six groups: control group, PM(2.5) group, PM(2.5) + aspirin group, PM(2.5) + Vitamin C group, PM(2.5) + Vitamin E group, and PM(2.5) + ozone group. PM(2.5) was given by intratracheal instillation every 2 days for 3 weeks. Aspirin, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E were given once a day by oral gavage for 3 weeks, and ozone was administered by intraperitoneal injection once a day for 3 weeks. The levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting analysis was used to analyze the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 in ovaries. Changes in histological structure were examined by light microscope and electron microscopy was used to detect ultramicrostructure. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that PM(2.5) decreased AMH levels (P < 0.001); however, aspirin (P < 0.001), Vitamin C (P < 0.001), Vitamin E (P = 0.001), and ozone (P = 0.002) alleviated the decrease. Changes of IL-6, TNF-α, 8-OHdG, Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase-3 in PM(2.5) group were increased compared to control group (P < 0.001), while in PM(2.5) + aspirin, PM(2.5) + Vitamin C, PM(2.5) + Vitamin E, and PM(2.5) + ozone groups, they were statistically decreased compared to PM(2.5) group (P < 0.001 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PM(2.5) cause the damage of ovaries, and aspirin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and ozone antagonizes the damage. The protective mechanism is probably due to its ability to blunt the inflammatory and oxidative stress caused by PM(2.5), which subsequently suppressing the expression of apoptotic regulatory protein and reducing the incidence of ovary apoptosis.