Exposure marker discovery of di-2(propylheptyl) phthalate using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and a rat model

Di-(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (DPHP) is a plasticizer and has been suggested to be a subchronic toxicant in rats. DPHP has been approved to be used in food containers and handling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The use of DPHP is still increasing, and the risk of human exposure to DPHP via food may be high. Exposure markers measured in human samples are commonly used to monitor human exposure levels. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and a rat model were used to discover tentative DPHP exposure markers. DPHP and mono-(2-propylheptyl) phthalate (MPHP) were used as the precursors for calculating metabolite candidates using biotransformation mass changes of known enzymatic reactions. A rat model was designed to validate these metabolite candidates as tentative exposure markers. A total of 28 signals show dose–response relationships and these signals contain a few isomers. The chemical structures of 15 tentative exposure marker signals were speculated based on the product ion mass spectra from MS/MS analysis. These 15 signals included 7 chemical structures and some of them may be isomers. The different arrangement of the atoms in space of these isomers should be validated by standard compounds in the future studies. Among the 7 speculated chemical structures, 2 structures were novel tentative DPHP metabolites, and 5 structures have been previously reported in the literature. The results indicate that using UPLC-MS and a rat model can be used to identify tentative toxicant exposure markers.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯对新生小鼠睾丸及Leydig细胞影响的实验研究

目的:探讨邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对新生小鼠睾丸及Leyd ig细胞形态结构及功能的影响。方法:DEHP分别以低、中、高3组剂量[100、200、500 mg/(kg.d)]灌胃作用于怀孕12 d到产后3 d(GD12~PND3)的KM母鼠,观察DEHP对新生雄性仔鼠体重、睾丸重量、Leyd ig细胞形态结构和3β-羟基类固醇脱氢酶(3-βHSD)活性、酶反应面积的影响。结果:DEHP作用于母鼠后,其雄性子代幼鼠体重和睾丸重量减轻,睾丸Leyd ig细胞形态、超微结构发生改变;高剂量组Leyd ig细胞数量明显增多;低、中剂量组睾酮合成关键酶3β-HSD酶活性下降,酶反应面积减小,但高剂量组在仔鼠出生后15 d时酶活性降低[(吸光度值(0.154±0.011)vs空白对照组(0.222±0.013),P<0.01],而酶反应面积增大[(6 303.0±745.6)μm2vs空白对照组(5 091.4±214.4)μm2,P<0.01)]。结论:DEHP能影响新生雄性小鼠体重、睾丸重量、Leyd ig细胞的形态结构和3β-HSD活性,具有抗雄激素效应。     

Evaluation of endocrine disrupting activity of plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride tubes by estrogen receptor alpha binding assay

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing is an indispensable medical material for extracorporeal circulation therapy. However, di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), a suspected endocrine disruptor, can be eluted from PVC, suggesting that an alternative material that does not contain DEHP is needed for clinical applications. First, we evaluated the endocrine disrupting risks of the plasticizers contained in PVC tubes by investigating their binding affinities for the human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Our results revealed that, while DEHP has some binding affinity for ERα, neither epoxidized soybean oil nor tris(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate (an alternative to DEHP) has any affinity for ERα. Second, we evaluated the endocrine disrupting risks of a tube made of newly developed plasticizer-free (PF) materials. We confirmed the presence of DEHP and detected several unidentified substances in plasma stored within the PVC tube. This plasma's competitive binding affinity for ERα was significantly higher than that of control plasma (P < 0.01). In contrast, the profile of plasma stored in the PF tube was similar to that of the control, both in terms of high-performance liquid chromatography chromatograms and competitive binding capacity for ERα, suggesting that the PF tube is biocompatible and is useful for reducing the elution of substances capable of binding to ERα. Presented in part at the 42nd Congress of the Japanese Society for Artificial Organs, October 5–7, 2004, Tokyo, Japan     

Non-linearities in the pharmacokinetics of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and metabolites in male rats

The disposition of the plasticizer di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and four of its major metabolites was studied in male rats given single infusions of a DEHP emulsion in doses of 5, 50 or 500 mg DEHP/kg body weight. Plasma concentrations of DEHP and metabolites were followed for 24 h after the start of the infusion. The kinetics of the primary metabolite mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) was studied separately.The concentrations of DEHP in plasma were at all times considerably higher than those of MEHP, and the concentrations of MEHP were much higher than those of the other investigated metabolites. In animals given 500 mg DEHP/kg, the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs) of the other investigated metabolites were at most 15% of that of MEHP. Parallel decreases in the plasma concentrations of DEHP, MEHP and the and (-1) oxidized metabolites indicated that the elimination of DEHP was the rate-limiting step in the disposition of the metabolites. This was partly supported by the observation that the clearance of MEHP was higher than that of DEHP. Nonlinear increases in the AUCs of DEHP and MEHP indicated saturation in the formation as well as the elimination of the potentially toxic metabolite MEHP.     

安徽阜阳地区性早熟女童的环境激素暴露研究

目的 调查常见的环境激素在女童性早熟的发病机制中可能起到的作用,为阜阳地区儿童环境激素的暴露情况积累基础数据。方法 随机选取2020年10月—2021年4月在阜阳市人民医院生长发育专科门诊就诊的初诊为性早熟的女童,包括中枢性(CPP组)、外周性(PPP组)性早熟各30例,以及23例健康女童(正常对照组)作为研究对象,并就日常生活中可能接触到环境激素的途径填写相关内容调查问卷。应用超高效液相色谱串联质谱法测定3组女童尿液中15种环境激素的暴露水平,以及测定CPP组及PPP组女童的血清基础性激素、甲状腺激素水平,并完善性腺彩超等检查,进行3组女童尿液中环境激素暴露水平研究及相关性分析。结果 正常组、CPP及PPP 3组女童在使用塑料水杯方面、尿液中邻苯二甲酸单乙基己酯(MEHP)、邻苯二甲酸单丁基酯(MBP)的暴露水平分布差异具有统计学意义(χ²=8.111,F=3.741、5.672,P<0.05);CPP组与正常组女童尿MEHP、MBP暴露水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但PPP与CPP组、PPP与正常组女童的尿MEHP、MBP暴露水平分布差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);PPP组内MEHP的分布水平与E₂呈正相关关系(r=0.688,P＜0.05)。结论 频繁使用塑料制品可能促进性早熟的发病;安徽阜阳地区女童普遍受到环境激素的污染;邻苯二甲酸单乙基己酯、邻苯二甲酸单丁基酯的暴露可能在外周性性早熟的病因中发挥着重要的作用,并且干扰体内性激素的分泌。     

固相微萃取技术测定塑料浸取液中邻苯二甲酸二辛酯

目的　探讨塑料浸取液中邻苯二甲酸二辛酯 (DEHP)的测定方法。方法　采用聚硅氧烷和富勒烯聚二甲基硅氧烷混合固定相自制萃取头 ,利用顶空固相微萃取与气相色谱联用技术 (HS -SPME -GC)分析塑料浸取液中邻苯二甲酸二辛酯 ,研究萃取时间、热解吸时间、溶液的酸碱度和离子强度等因素对方法灵敏度的影响 ,并与商用聚二甲基硅氧烷 (PDMS)萃取头比较。结果　该萃取头的萃取选择性优于PDMS萃取头 ,方法具有良好的线性范围(0 .4～ 5 0 0 μg·L-1) ,最低检出限为 0 .15 μg·L-1,相对标准偏差为 4.9% (n =6 )。结论　固相微萃取技术分析水样中邻苯二甲酸二辛酯具有高效、灵敏、操作简单、无需溶剂等优点。     

Participation of the Fas-Signaling System in the Initiation of Germ Cell Apoptosis in Young Rat Testes after Exposure to Mono-(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate

The Fas-signaling system is composed of the interacting proteins Fas (CD95/APO-1) and Fas ligand (FasL, CD95L, APO-1L) and is proposed to act in the testis as a paracrine signaling mechanism by which FasL-expressing Sertoli cells initiate apoptosis of Fas-bearing germ cells. Here we describe alterations in the expression of Fas and FasL in the testis after the intimate physical association between Sertoli cells and germ cells is disrupted by exposure to the Sertoli cell toxicant mono-2-(ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). Young, 28-day-old Fisher rats were treated with MEHP (2 g/kg po) and killed 0, 3, 6, and 12 h after exposure. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed a significant increase in the numbers of Fas-positive germ cells as well as increases in the expression of Sertoli cell FasL. Western blot analysis demonstrated a time-dependent increase in the production of the soluble form of FasL after MEHP exposure and suggests that it may participate in triggering apoptosis in germ cells that have lost their intimate association with the Sertoli cells. Measurement of Fas in cytosolic and membrane fractions of testis homogenates by Western blot analysis revealed a significant shift of Fas expression into the membrane fraction after MEHP exposure. Taken together, these observations indicate that the Fas-mediated paracrine signaling mechanism participates in triggering apoptosis of germ cells despite the loss of their close physical association with Sertoli cells. A working model is presented to explain the involvement of the Fas-system in stimulating germ cell apoptosis after MEHP exposure.     

Effects of Diethyl Phthalate and Other Plasticizers on Laurate Hydroxylation in Rat Liver Microsomes

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is used in pharmaceutical coatings, cosmetics, and plastic films to wrap foods. There is a health concern associated with the exposure to certain phthalate esters because they belong to a class of compounds referred to as peroxisome proliferators which have been shown to increase the incidence of liver tumors when administered to rats. In this study, we have compared DEP to four other commonly used plasticizers, 2-diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), 2-diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA), and acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC), for their ability to induce the cytochrome P450-mediated fatty acid -hydroxylation system, which is one of the initial cellular responses when animals are treated with peroxisome proliferators. The administration of DEHP, DBP, and DEHA to rats increased the specific activity of laurate 12-hydroxylase from 2.8 ± 1.1 in control rats to 30.3 ± 11.6, 14.5 ± 4.1, and 9.7 ± 1.9 nmol 12-hydroxylaurate formed/min/nmol P450, respectively. In contrast, laurate 12-hydroxylase activity in DEP-and ATBC-treated rats were 4.4 ± 1.2 and 4.4 ± 1.0 nmol 12-hydroxylaurate formed/min/nmol P450, respectively. In addition, whereas DEHP increased peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation 6-fold, DEP increased this activity only 1.3-fold. Two protein bands, at 51 and 52 kDa, were found to increase 6- to 12-fold in microsomes of DEHP-, DBP-, and DEHA-treated rats, but these bands were increased only 2-fold in DEP- or ATBC-treated rats.     

Altered gene expression during rat Wolffian duct development following di(n-butyl) phthalate exposure.

Di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) is a common plasticizer and solvent that disrupts androgen-dependent male reproductive development in rats. In utero exposure to 500 mg/kg/day DBP on gestation days (GD) 12 to 21 decreases androgen biosynthetic enzymes, resulting in decreased fetal testicular testosterone levels. One consequence of prenatal DBP exposure is malformed epididymides in adult rats. Reduced fetal testosterone levels may be responsible for the malformation, since testosterone is required for Wolffian duct stabilization and their development into epididymides. Currently, little is understood about the molecular mechanisms of Wolffian duct differentiation. The objective of this study was to identify changes in gene expression associated with altered morphology of the proximal Wolffian duct following in utero exposure to DBP. Pregnant Crl:CD(R) (SD) rats were gavaged with corn oil vehicle or 500 mg/kg/day DBP from GD 12 to GD 19 or 21. There were only small morphological differences between control and DBP-exposed Wolffian ducts on GD 19. On GD 21, 89% of male fetuses in the DBP dose group showed marked underdevelopment of Wolffian ducts, characterized by decreased coiling. RNA was isolated from Wolffian ducts on GD 19 and 21. Together with empirical information, cDNA microarrays were used to help identify candidate genes that could be associated with the morphological changes observed on GD 21. These candidate genes were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Changes in mRNA expression were observed in genes within the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway, the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, the extracellular matrix, and in other developmentally conserved signaling pathways. On GD 19, immunolocalization of IGF-1 receptor protein demonstrated an increase in cytoplasmic expression in the mesenchymal and epithelial cells. There was also a variable decrease in androgen receptor protein in ductal epithelial cells on GD 19. This study provides insight into the effects of antiandrogens on the molecular mechanisms involved in Wolffian duct development. The altered morphology and changes in gene expression following DBP exposure are suggestive of altered paracrine interactions between ductal epithelial cells and the surrounding mesenchyme during Wolffian duct differentiation due to lowered testosterone production.     

邻苯二甲酸二丁酯致大鼠隐睾睾丸和附睾病理组织学改变研究

目的：邻苯二甲酸二丁酯（DBP）孕晚期染毒诱导子代雄鼠隐睾的发生和探讨隐睾睾丸、附睾病理组织学的改变。方法：孕鼠40只，随机分组，在怀孕14-18天期间，每天分别灌胃给予大豆油（A组）、DBP100mg／kg（B组）、500mg／kg（C组）、800mg／kg（D组）。出生70天后观察雄仔鼠隐睾发生率及隐睾睾丸、附睾病理组织学改变。结果：C、D组雄仔鼠隐睾发生率为10．8％和63．5％；隐睾睾丸、附睾的脏器系数显著减轻；睾丸生精上皮萎缩，生精细胞层减少甚至消失，曲精小管体积减小；同时附睾管腔中精子缺如。电镜下隐睾睾丸中出现异常的支持细胞。结论：睾丸是DBP主要作用的靶器官；中、高剂量DBP孕晚期染毒可致雄仔鼠隐睾的发生、睾丸生精上皮的损害，从而影响其生育能力。