Curcumin ameliorates aging-induced blood-testis barrier disruption by regulating AMPK/mTOR mediated autophagy

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321752
• Publication Date: 2025-04-24T17:47:18Z
• Authors: Chen Xue; Zhenxing Yan; Wenjing Cheng; Dong Zhang; Rong Zhang; Hongwei Duan; Lihong Zhang; Xiaofei Ma; Junjie Hu; Jian Kang; Xiaojun Ma
• Keywords: Occludin

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is composed of tight junctions (TJ) between adjacent Sertoli cells (SCs) and crucial for sperm growth development. Aging-induced TJ impairment closely related to testicular dysfunction. Curcumin, a natural compound, has been widely demonstrated have wide range pharmacological activities, but its regulatory effects on junction damage in the testis remain unclear. We here explored effect curcumin function underlying molecular mechanism by using D-galactose (D-gal)-induced mouse SCs (TM4) aging models vitro . In this study, D-gal increased expression aging-related proteins p16 p21, whereas significantly decreased (ZO-1, Claudin-4, Claudin-7, Occludin). addition, restored adverse SCs. Autophagy degradation system maintaining cell renewal homeostasis. autophagy level, D-gal. Using chloroquine (CQ), an inhibitor autophagy, rapamycin (RAPA), activator it was that plays key role amelioration injury Further studies unveiled activation mediated through AMPK/mTOR pathway. conclusion, ameliorates aging-induced signaling pathway-regulated autophagy. This study thus clearly identifies novel action treatment age-related male reproductive disorders.