RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of sodium fluoride on the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA and cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) mRNA in the testosterone synthesis of mouse Leydig tumor cells (mLTC-1). and to explore the molecular mechanisms of fluoride on reproductive injury. METHODS: Using mLTC-1 cells as a model, progesterone in the supernatant of cell culture medium was measured by RIA. The expression of StAR mRNA and P450scc mRNA in mLTC-1 cells was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, the expression of StAR mRNA and P450scc mRNA in mLTC-1 cells and the secretion of progesterone of mLTC-1 cells in the three fluoride groups with 12,16 and 20 microg/ml of NaF in their media respectively were obviously lower (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of StAR mRNA and P450scc mRNA in mLTC-1 cells could be inhibited by NaF, and consequently the secretion of progesterone in mLTC-1 cells was affected.