Methyl triclosan alters amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism in human ovarian granulosa cells

Methyl triclosan (MTCS) is the principal metabolic product of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound triclosan (TCS) and is more toxic to aquatic life. However, knowledge about the toxicity of MTCS to humans and its effect on fertility remains limited. In this investigation, non-targeted metabolomics was employed to explore the influence of MTCS exposure on human ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) metabolism. First, we found that MTCS exhibited no notable impact on KGN cell viability in comparison to the control group when exposed to concentrations ≤ 10 μM. Subsequently, differential comparative analysis of the metabolites of KGN cells by LC-MS identified 36, 14, and 5 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) when subjected to 0.1, 1, and 10 μM of MTCS, respectively. Surprisingly, we found that MTCS more strongly interfered with the metabolism of KGN cells at low concentrations than at high concentrations. Based on KEGG enrichment analysis, glycerophospholipid metabolism was found to be markedly enriched, regardless of the concentration of MTCS. In addition, MTCS significantly altered amino acid (AA) metabolism, particularly phenylalanine metabolism. These results were validated in SVOG cells, a normal human GC line. Our study offers important perspectives into the possible mechanisms of MTCS-provoked cytotoxicity in GCs. • MTCS had no significant effect on the viability when exposed to dose ≤ 10 μM. • MTCS strongly interfered with the metabolism of KGN cells at low concentrations. • MTCS exposure caused disturbances in amino acid metabolism. • MTCS perturbed glycerophospholipid metabolism in KGN cells. • The interference effect of MTCS on granulosa cell were validated in SVOG cells.