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Chronic Psychological Stress Disrupts Iron Metabolism and Enhances Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Mice

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Abstract

To explore the changes in iron metabolism and mitochondrial function exposed to chronic psychological stress, seventy-five male mice aged 5 ~ 6 weeks were randomly sorted into 2 groups: control group and chronic psychological stress group. Mice were conducted by communication box to induce psychological stress for 21 consecutive days. The results showed that chronic psychological stress led to a significant reduction in average daily gain (P < 0.01) and the final weight (P < 0.05). Chronic psychological stress greatly increased plasma and duodenal iron level (P < 0.05), whereas markedly decreased hepatic iron content in mice (P < 0.05). Increasing expression of duodenal DCYTB and FPN (P < 0.05) was observed in mice exposed to chronic psychological stress. Moreover, chronic psychological stress greatly enhanced hepatic TFR1, FTL, and FPN protein expression (P < 0.05) in mice. Additionally, chronic psychological stress enhanced the levels of hepatic NADH, NAD + , ATP, mtDNA content, mtDNA-encoded genes, and the activity of mitochondrial complex I and II (P < 0.05). Taken together, chronic psychological stress impairs growth, disrupts iron metabolism, and enhances hepatic mitochondrial function in mice. These results will provide new insights for understanding the mechanisms of iron metabolism and mitochondrial function during chronic psychological stress.

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Abbreviations

ATP6:

ATP synthase F0 subunit 6

ATP8:

ATP synthase F0 subunit 8

COX 1-3:

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1–3

CYTB:

Cytochrome b

DCYTB:

Duodenal cytochrome b

DMT1:

Divalent metal transporter

FPN:

Ferroportin

FTH:

Ferritin heavy chain

FTL:

Ferritin light chain

ND1-6:

NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1–6

ND4L:

NADH dehydro genase subunit 4L

Ppia:

Peptidylprolyl isomerase A

TS:

Transferrin saturation

TIBC:

Total iron-binding capacity

TF:

Transferrin

TFR1:

Transferrin receptor 1

TFR2:

Transferrin receptor 2

UIBC:

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity

ZIP14:

ZRT/IRT-like Protein 14

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFE0129900); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31872439); the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD) and Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Meat Production and Processing, Quality and Safety Control.

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  1. Shihui Guo and Yingying Dong contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, NO.1 Weigang Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Shihui Guo, Yingying Dong, Xiaoxian Cheng, Zijin Chen, Yingdong Ni, Ruqian Zhao & Wenqiang Ma

  2. MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health & Food Safety, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210095, People’s Republic of China

    Shihui Guo, Yingying Dong, Xiaoxian Cheng, Zijin Chen, Yingdong Ni, Ruqian Zhao & Wenqiang Ma

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  1. Shihui Guo
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Contributions

Shihui Guo, Yingying Dong, and Xiaoxian Cheng performed the experiments and analyzed and interpreted the results. Zijin Chen performed the animal experiment, recorded and analyzed the phenotypic data, and took the samples. Wenqiang Ma, Yingdong Ni, and Ruqian Zhao contributed to experimental concepts and design. Wenqiang Ma supported the project and written the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Wenqiang Ma.

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Guo, S., Dong, Y., Cheng, X. et al. Chronic Psychological Stress Disrupts Iron Metabolism and Enhances Hepatic Mitochondrial Function in Mice. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 1761–1771 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03269-5

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