Identification of key genes involved in phthalate-induced male erectile dysfunction: Insights from network toxicology and bioinformatics analyses.

Abstract

Background: In recent years, phthalate plasticizers have been increasingly linked to various male reproductive health issues. However, their relationship with erectile dysfunction (ED) remains insufficiently studied. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which phthalate plasticizers contribute to ED.

Methods: Using a network toxicology approach, we predicted potential molecular targets of three common phthalates-DEHP, DIBP, and DMP-associated with ED through multiple online databases. Next, we integrated transcriptomic datasets from three established ED rat models (diabetic, neurogenic, and hypertensive) to identify more robust and representative candidate genes. Subsequently, LASSO and SVM-RFE machine learning algorithms were employed to screen for key phthalate related ED genes. Molecular docking was then conducted to validate the binding affinity between phthalates and these candidate targets.

Results: Network toxicology analysis identified 101 genes potentially linking phthalates to ED. Enrichment analyses revealed that these genes are primarily involved in endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and cell growth regulation. From the integrated ED transcriptomic dataset, 1002 differentially expressed genes were identified, among which 12 overlapped with the phthalate-ED associated genes. These overlapping genes were closely related to neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. LASSO and SVM-RFE models further narrowed the list to four key genes: CDKN1B, IDH1, CASR, and PRNP.

Conclusion: The four key genes-CDKN1B, IDH1, CASR, and PRNP-appear to play critical roles in phthalate-induced ED. These genes are potentially involved in mechanisms such as oxidative stress dysregulation, neural injury, and endocrine disorders. Our findings provide important theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and prevention of environmentally induced ED.