摘要Objective:To investigate the protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid on lead-induced Sertoli cell injury and its potential molecular mechanisms using primary Sertoli cells from rooster testes.Methods:Primary Sertoli cells from 6-week-old rooster testes were divided into four goups.They were treated with serum-free DMEM-F12 medium(the control group),40 μM lead acetate,100 μM alpha-lipoic acid,or 40 μM lead acetate plus 100 μM alpha-lipoic acid for 24 h,respectively.Cell viability,reactive oxygen species levels(DCFH-DA),antioxidant enzyme activities(catalase,superoxide dismutase),blood-testis barrier-related proteins,nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway components,proliferation/apoptosis markers(Western blot),and related gene expression(qPCR)were analyzed.Results:Alpha-lipoic acid treatment significantly reduced lead-induced reactive oxygen species(ROS)production by 58.3%compared to the lead acetate group(P<0.05),enhanced catalase activity by 35.8%(P<0.05),and elevated lead-reduced PCNA expression by 47.2%(P<0.05).Lead acetate 40 μM plus 100 μM alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased Nrf2 expression by 78.9%and HO1/NQO1 expression by 97.5%and 89.4%,respectively(P<0.05),significantly upregulated the expression of Bcl2 protein and significantly downregulated Bax protein expression(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alpha-lipoic acid enhances the antioxidant properties of Sertoli cells by activating the Nrf2 pathway,restores lead-induced excessive autophagy,and inhibits apoptosis,thus alleviating the damage caused by lead in Sertoli cells.