N-acetylcysteine and zinc sulphate abate di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate-mediated reproductive dysfunction in rats:Focus on oxidative and sex hormone receptors mechanisms

Objective:To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)and zinc sulphate(ZnSO_(4))in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)in rats and to understand the underlying mechanisms,specifically oxidative stress and sex hormone receptor activity.Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups(n=7 per group).Group 1 was administered 0.5 mL of distilled water and served as the control group.Group 2 was given only DEHP(750 mg/kg/day),while group 3,4 and 5 were given DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day),DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),and DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day)as well as ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),respectively.All treatments lasted for 21 days.Samples were obtained after the rats were sacrificed,and hormones levels in the serum and markers of oxidative stress in the testicles were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The amount of androgen receptors in the testicles was determined by immunohistochemistry,and the susceptibility of testosterone and DEHP to bind to androgen receptor and 5α-reductase was determined by molecular docking studies.Results:DEHP decreased reproductive hormones,testicular antioxidant enzymes,increased malondialdehyde levels,and negatively impacted histology of the pituitary and testes.NAC or ZnSO_(4) treatment showed a marked improvement in testicular antioxidant status and hormone levels,as well as a positive effect on the histology of the pituitary and testes.The combination of both treatments appeared to be more effective.The affinity of DEHP to bind to androgen receptors may lead to disruption of androgen receptor signaling,which can further result in dysfunction of hormones related to androgen.However,NAC is more likely to form stronger binding interactions with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors,as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors,when compared to DEHP.Conclusions:The possibility that NAC and ZnSO_(4) could downregulate DEHP-induced sex hormone changes is suggested by their potential to reduce toxicity.

Bis(2-butoxyethyl) Phthalate Delays Puberty Onset by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Leydig Cells in Rats

Objective This study investigated the effects of bis(2-butoxyethyl) phthalate(BBOP) on the onset of male puberty by affecting Leydig cell development in rats.Methods Thirty 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to five groups mg/kg bw per day that were gavaged for 21 days with BBOP at 0, 10, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg bw per day. The hormone profiles;Leydig cell morphological metrics;mRNA and protein levels;oxidative stress;and AKT,mTOR, ERK1/2, and GSK3β pathways were assessed.Results BBOP at 250 and/or 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels mg/kg bw per day(P < 0.05). BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased Leydig cell number mg/kg bw per day and downregulated Cyp11a1, Insl3, Hsd11b1,and Dhh in the testes, and Lhb and Fshb mRNAs in the pituitary gland(P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the testis significantly increased, while Sod1 and Sod2 mRNAs were markedly downregulated, by BBOP treatment at 250–500 mg/kg bw per day(P < 0.05). Furthermore, BBOP at 500mg/kg bw per day decreased AKT1/AKT2, mTOR, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and GSK3β and SIRT1levels mg/kg bw per day(P < 0.05). Finally, BBOP at 100 or 500 μmol/L induced ROS and apoptosis in Leydig cells after 24 h of treatment in vitro(P < 0.05).Conclusion BBOP delays puberty onset by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in Leydig cells in rats.The graphical abstract is available on the website www.besjournal.com.

Green tea polyphenols alleviate di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-induced liver injury in mice

BACKGROUND Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)is a common plasticizer known to cause liver injury.Green tea is reported to exert therapeutic effects on heavy metal exposureinduced organ damage.However,limited studies have examined the therapeutic effects of green tea polyphenols(GTPs)on DEHP-induced liver damage.AIM To evaluate the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of GTPs on DEHP-induced liver damage.METHODS C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following five groups:Control,model[DEHP(1500 mg/kg bodyweight)],treatment[DEHP(1500 mg/kg bodyweight)+GTP(70 mg/kg bodyweight),oil,and GTP(70 mg/kg bodyweight)]groups.After 8 wk,the liver function,blood lipid profile,and liver histopathology were examined.Differentially expressed micro RNAs(miRNAs)and mRNAs in the liver tissues were examined using high-throughput sequencing.Additionally,functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration prediction were performed.The miRNA-mRNA regulatory axis was elucidated using the starBase database.Protein expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS GTPs alleviated DHEP-induced liver dysfunction,blood lipid dysregulation,fatty liver disease,liver fibrosis,and mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum lesions in mice.The infiltration of macrophages,mast cells,and natural killer cells varied between the model and treatment groups.mmu-miR-141-3p(a differentially expressed miRNA),Zcchc24(a differentially expressed mRNA),and Zcchc24(a differentially expressed protein)constituted the miRNA-mRNA-protein regulatory axis involved in mediating the therapeutic effects of GTPs on DEHP-induced liver damage in mice.CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that GTPs mitigate DEHP-induced liver dysfunction,blood lipid dysregulation,fatty liver disease,and partial liver fibrosis,and regulate immune cell infiltration.Additionally,an important miRNAmRNA-protein molecular regulatory axis involved in mediating the therapeutic effects of GTPs on DEHP-induced liver damage was elucidated.

Glycerin Monostearate Aggravates Male Reproductive Toxicity Caused by Di(2-ethylhexyl)Phthalate in Rats

Human beings are increasingly exposed to phthalates,which are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break,and simultaneously ingesting abundant food emulsifiers via daily diet.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the food emulsifier glycerin monostearate(GMS)on male reproductive toxicity caused by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP,one of the phthalates)and explore the underlying mechanism.Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,DEHP group and DEHP+GMS group.Rats in the DEHP group and DEHP+GMS group were orally administered with 200 mg/kg/d DEHP with or without 20 mg/kg/d GMS.After 30 days of continuous intervention,it was found that the serum testosterone level was significantly lowered in DEHP group and DEHP+GMS group than that in control group(P<0.01).The serum testosterone level and the relative testis weight were significantly decreased in the DEHP+GMS group as compared with those in the DEHP group and control group(P<0.05).More spermatids were observed to be shed off in DEHP+GMS group than in DEHP group.The expression levels of cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1(Chkl),cell division cycle gene 2(Cdc2),and cyclin-dependent kinase 2(CDK2)were down-regulated in DEHP group,and this tendency was more significant in DEHP+GMS group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).There was no significant difference in the P-glycoprotein(P-gp)expression between DEHP group and control group.However,P-gp was markedly down-regulated in DEHP+GMS group(P<O.Ol).The results indicated that the food emulsifier GMS aggravated the toxicity of DEHP on male reproduction by inhibiting the cell cycle of testicular cells and the expression of P-gp in testis tissues.

Urine Metabonomic Analysis of Interventions Effect of Soy Isoflavones on Rats Exposed to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate

Objective Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant.As an endocrine disruptor,it seriously threatens human health and ecological environmental safety.This study examines the impact of intervention with soybean isoflavones(SIF) on DEHP-induced toxicity using a metabonomics approach.Methods Rats were randomly divided into control(H),SIF-treated(A,86 mg/kg body weight),DEHP-treated(B,68 mg/kg),and SIF plus DEHP-treated(D) groups.Rats were given SIF and DEHP daily through diet and gavage,respectively.After 30 d of treatment,rat urine was tested using UPLC/MS with multivariate analysis.Metabolic changes were also evaluated using biochemical assays.Results Metabolomics analyses revealed that p-cresol glucuronide,methyl hippuric acid,N1-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide,lysophosphatidycholine [18:2(9 Z,12 Z)] {lyso PC [18:2(9 Z,12 Z)]},lyso PC(16:0),xanthosine,undecanedioic acid,and N6-acetyl-l-lysine were present at significantly different levels in control and treatment groups.Conclusion SIF supplementation partially protects rats from DEHP-induced metabolic abnormalities by regulating fatty acid metabolism,antioxidant defense system,amino acid metabolism,and is also involved in the protection of mitochondria.

Impairment of Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Cellular Immunity in Kunming Mice

Immunity is crucial to the health of animals and it can determine their survival and fitness. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used as a plasticizer and hence is the most abundant phthalate in the environment. Exposure to DEHP is of great concern for human health. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that exposure to DEHP would suppress T cell-mediated immunity in mice. Twenty adult male Kunming mice were randomly assigned into the control (n = 10) and the DEHP treatment (n = 10) groups. Both groups have free access to food and water, while the mice in the latter group drank DEHP solution (2000 mg/L) for 42 days. T cell-mediated immunity assessed by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) response was depressed in the DEHP treated mice compared with the controls, however, wet thymus and spleen mass, white blood cells were not influenced by DEHP treatment. Taken together, different immunological parameters responded differently to DEHP treatment in Kunming mice.

An Estimation of the Daily Intake of Di(2-ethlhexyl) Phthalate(DEHP) among Workers in Flavoring Factories

Objective To estimate the daily intake of DEHP among workers in flavoring factories. Methods 71 workers in two flavoring manufacturers, 27 administrators in those factories and 31 laboratory technicians in a research institute were recruited and assigned to exposure group, control group 1 and control group 2 respectively. Their urinary DEHP metabolites, mono（2-ethylhexyl） phthalate （MEHP）, mono-（2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl） phthalate （MEHHP）, mono-（2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl） phthalate （MEOHP）, were detected by isotope dilution-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-MS/MS）. The urinary metabolites concentrations were converted into DEHP intake levels using two pharmacokinetic models： the urine creatinine-excretion （UCE） one and the urine volume （UV） one. Results No significant differences were found among the three groups. Based on the urinary concentrations of Z3MEHP, we got a median daily DEHP intake of 3.22 or 1.85 μg/kg body-weight/day applying the UV or UCE models respectively. Depending on the UV model, three subjects （2.34%） exceeded the RfD value given by US EPA and the P50 of estimate daily DEHP intakes accounted for 16.10% of the RfD value. No subjects exceeded the limitation depending on the UCE model. Conclusion The workers in flavoring factories were not supposed to be the high DEHP exposure ones and their exposure level remained at a low risk.

Reducing children’s exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in homes and kindergartens in China:Impact on lifetime cancer risks and burden of disease

Exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)in the indoor environment has been linked with significant health risks for Chinese children.Multi-phase DEHP concentrations in Chinese residences and kindergartens were estimated using a mass balance model based on the current baseline condition and control strategies(i.e.,increasing ventilation rate,reducing area of sources,using mechanical ventilation systems,and using portable air cleaners).The health benefits of each control strategy were quantified as the reduction in lifetime cancer risks(LCR)and burden of disease(BoD).In the current situation,the mean LCR and disability-adjusted life years(DALY)number attributable to indoor DEHP exposure for Chinese children were around 6.0×10^(−6) and 155 thousand,respectively.The mean LCR and DALY might be reduced by 25%-54%and 16%-40%,respectively,by increasing air exchange rates by 100%,reducing the use of source materials by two-thirds or deploying commercial air cleaners in naturally ventilated buildings.Meanwhile,avoidable DALYs could result in a reduction of mean economic losses of 2.2-5.3 billion RMB.Mechanical ventilation systems with filtration units may not be helpful for reducing children’s health risks.House-specific and tailor-made control measures are critical in lowering indoor exposure to DEHP to promote sustainable buildings and children’s health in China.

Maslinic acid supplementation prevents di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate-induced apoptosis via PRDX6 in peritubular myoid cells of Chinese forest musk deer

Chinese forest musk deer(FMD),an endangered species,have exhibited low reproductive rates even in captivity due to stress conditions.Investigation revealed the presence of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP),an environmental endocrine disruptor,in the serum and skin of captive FMDs.Feeding FMDs with maslinic acid(MA)has been observed to alleviate the stress response and improve reproductive rates,although the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the alleviation of DEHP-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in primary peritubular myoid cells(PMCs)through MA intake.Primary PMCs were isolated and exposed to DEHP in vitro.The results demonstrated that DEHP significantly suppressed antioxidant levels and promoted cell apoptosis in primary PMCs.Moreover,interfering with the expression of PRDX6 was found to induce excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS)production and cell apoptosis in primary PMCs.Supplementation with MA significantly upregulated the expression of PRDX6,thereby attenuating DEHP-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in primary PMCs.These findings provide a theoretical foundation for mitigating stress levels and enhancing reproductive capacity of in captive FMDs.

新型污染物邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯在非正规生活垃圾填埋场原状土壤中赋存水平及环境风险评估

邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)是一种环境新型有机污染物,作为最常见的增塑剂被广泛应用于生产生活中.本研究选择某非正规生活垃圾填埋场不同土层的原状土壤作为研究对象,采集土壤样品共168份,分析其DEHP赋存水平,比对现有环境质量标准,初步判断其环境风险,并采用熵值法和USEPA模型评估DEHP产生的生态风险及人体健康风险.结果表明,送检样品中只有1份土壤样品超出GB36600-2018中第一类用地筛选值,67份样品超出美国土壤控制标准.使用熵值法模拟研究区原状土壤中,DEHP含量对敏感受体藻类、甲壳类及鱼类的生态风险,统计结果表明整体以中、高生态风险为主.通过USEPA模型计算得出,研究区送检土壤样品中DEHP的非致癌风险均可接受,致癌风险成人不可接受率高达10.7%,儿童高达17.1%,且上层土壤致癌风险普遍高于中下层.因此,非正规生活垃圾填埋场原状土层中DEHP环境风险明显需予以重视.

Aquatic toxicity of di (2-eihylhexyl) phthalate to duckweeds

This study is concerned with the effects of di （2-ethylhexyl） phthalate （DEHP） on two kinds of duckweeds （Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna minor）.The results indicate that DEHP has aquatic toxicity to Spirodela polyrhiza at 0.4 mg/L and to Lemna minor at over 0.1 mg/L by changing their physiologic-biochemical characteristics.The contents of duckweed chlorophyll and soluble protein decrease with increasing DEHP concentration after 7 d of exposure.DEHP shows the stimulating role in catalase （CAT） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） systems at relative low levels.At 0.01 mg/L and 0.005 mg/L,SOD activities of Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna minor reach their peak values respectively,while CAT activity reaches its maximum value at 0.05 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L.When DEHP levels are too high,the protection enzyme system would be destroyed and plant growth is inhibited.The analysis of malondialdehyde （MDA） and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy manifest that DEHP could affect the tested duckweeds by destroying its cell membranes,and Spirodela polyrhiza is more resistant to DEHP exposure than Lemna minor.

Phytotoxicity in seven higher plant species exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate or bis （2-ethylhexyl） phthalate

We investigated phytotoxicity in seven plant species exposed to a range of concentrations （0- 500 mg· kg^-1 soil） of di-n-butyl phthalate （DnBP） or his （2- ethylhexyl） phthalate （DEHP）, two representative phthalate esters （PAEs） nominated by USEPA as priority pollutants and known environmental estrogens. We studied seed germination, root elongation, seedling growth, biomass （fresh weight, FW） and malondialdehyde （MDA） content of shoots and roots of wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）, alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.）, perennial ryegrass （Lolium perenne）, radish （Raphanus sativus L.）, cucumber （Cucumis sativus L.）, oat （Avena sativa） and onion （Allium cepa L.）, together with monitoring of plant pigment content （chlorophyll a, b and earotinoids） in alfalfa, radish and onion shoots. Root elongation, seedling growth and biomass of the test species were generally inhibited by DnBP but not by DEHP, indicating a lower level of phytotoxicity of DEHP than of DnBP. MDA contents of four species were promoted by PAE exposure, but not in alfalfa, ryegrass or onion shoots, indicating lower sensitivity of these three species to PAE pollutants. Plant pigment contents were clearly affected under the stress of both pollutants, implying the potential damage to the photosynthetic system of test plants, mainly by decreasing the content of chlorophyll a and b. Results of DnBP and DEHP phytotoxicity to the primary growth of test plants has provided information for the assessment of their environmental risk in the soil and also forms a basis for the further analysis of their toxic effects over the whole growth period of different plant species.

多壁碳纳米管表面邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯印迹聚合物的制备及其在固相萃取中的应用

以苯基修饰的多壁碳纳米管为载体,邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯为模板分子,甲基丙烯酸为功能单体,乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯为交联剂,在碳纳米管表面接枝一层塑化剂邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯印迹聚合层。采用红外光谱和扫描电镜对聚合物进行表征和分析。结果表明,在碳纳米管表面成功接枝一层20～30 nm厚的印迹聚合层。采用高效液相色谱研究该印迹聚合物的吸附性能,结果表明,碳纳米管-分子印迹聚合物对邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯最大吸附量为69.1μmol/g,达到吸附平衡时间约为60 min。选择性吸附实验表明,与其它结构类似物相比,该印迹复合材料对邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯有良好的识别能力。作为固相萃取材料装填于固相萃取柱中,该印迹聚合物能对芒果汁样品中塑化剂进行有效的分离和富集。

高效液相色谱法测定化妆品中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯的含量

目的：建立了高效液相色谱法测定化妆品中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯（DBP）和邻苯二甲酸二（2-乙基己基）酯（DE-HP）含量的方法。方法：采用固相萃取法处理样品，淋洗试剂为甲醇：乙醚=1：19。甲醇和水作为流动相，二极管阵列检测器测定DBP和DEHP。结果：DBP测定的线性范围为5．0～200μg／ml，线性相关系数为0．9993，DEHP测定的线性范围为5．5～220μg／ml，线性相关系数为0．9997。DBP的回收率范围在84％～93％，相对标准偏差为3．2％～4．8％。DE-HP的回收率范围在98％～105％，相对标准偏差为2．8％～4．7％。结论：该方法灵敏度高，结果准确而且稳定。

加氢法生产环己烷1,2-二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯工艺

以邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯(DEHP,工业级)为原料,采用固定床加氢工艺和贵金属Ru-Pd催化剂,制备环己烷1,2-二甲酸二(2-乙基己)酯。分别考察了温度、压力、空速、氢气与原料的体积比对反应活性的影响。试验结果表明:在反应温度190℃、压力15MPa、体积空速0.5h-1、氢气与原料的体积比为800∶1的条件下,原料DEHP转化率保持在99.99%以上,目标产物选择性高于99.7%。连续运行1000h,催化剂仍具有优异的加氢活性。

在线凝胶渗透色谱-气相色谱/质谱法测定水中二异丙基萘、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基)己酯

建立了在线凝胶色谱-气相色谱/质谱法测定水中二异丙基萘、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯和邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基)己酯的方法。样品经正己烷液-液萃取,浓缩定容,经凝胶渗透色谱柱净化后,用DB-5MS色谱柱(25 m×0.25 mm,0.25μm)分离,质谱检测,内标法定量。在0.5μg/L、1.5μg/L和3.0μg/L 3个加标浓度下,3种目标物的平均回收率在95.45%~107.80%之间,相对标准偏差在2.64%~6.26%之间,3种目标物的方法检出限分别为0.01μg/L、0.5μg/L和0.5μg/L。该方法操作简单,分析成本低,适合水中二异丙基萘、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯、邻苯二甲酸(2-乙基)己酯的检测。

抗静电增塑剂——邻苯二甲酸二(2-丁氧乙基)酯的合成及应用性能

以苯酐、乙二醇单丁醚为原料,在钛酸四丁酯催化剂的存在下,经酯化反应合成了邻苯二甲酸二(2-丁氧乙基)酯,考察了催化剂用量、原料配比、带水剂用量、反应时间等对酯化反应的影响,确定了较佳的合成工艺条件。应用测试表明,产品能改善PVC树脂的加工性能,同时能提高塑胶制品的抗静电性能。

QuEChERS结合气相色谱-质谱法快速测定植物油中DBP、DEHP、DINP塑化剂残留

建立了QuEChERS结合气相色谱-质谱法(GC-MS)快速测定植物油中邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基)己酯(DEHP)、邻苯二甲酸二异壬酯(DINP)塑化剂残留的方法。样品用正己烷饱和的乙腈提取后,经QuEChERS玻璃净化管净化。净化液不经浓缩直接采用GC-MS测定,外标法定量。结果表明:3种塑化剂在一定的质量浓度范围内有良好的线性关系,相关系数R均大于0.998;DBP、DEHP、DINP的方法定量限分别为0.24、0.24、6.00 mg/kg;在3种加标水平下,回收率为82.6%~101.6%,测定结果的相对标准偏差(RSD)为3.5%~8.5%。方法操作简单、快速、准确可靠,适用于植物油中DBP、DEHP、DINP风险监控的快速检测。

邻苯二甲酸二(2-丙基庚基)酯的开发与应用

介绍了邻苯二甲酸二(2-丙基庚基)酯的性能,生产的主要技术路线与最佳的操作条件及有关进展情况。对当前工业化生产的邻苯二甲酸二(2-丙基庚基)酯工艺特点进行分析和总结;阐述了国内外研究开发的现状与发展趋势,并探讨了扩大应用范围的前景与市场需求。

内标校正气相色谱-质谱法测定空气PM_(2.5)中邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯的不确定度评定

建立内标校正气相色谱-质谱法测定空气PM_(2.5)中邻苯二甲酸二(2-乙基己基)酯(DEHP)的不确定度评定方法,分析影响测量结果不确定度的因素,为提高检测结果质量提供依据。依据JJF 1059.1—2012《测量不确定度评定与表示》,建立数学模型,分析不确定度来源,评定各不确定度分量,计算合成标准不确定度和扩展不确定度。空气PM_(2.5)中DEHP的质量浓度为(0.306±0.020)μg/m^(3),k=2。测定结果的不确定度主要来源于采样体积、提取液测定和测量重复性,其中提取液测定引入的不确定度分量最大,采样体积和测量重复性引入的不确定度分量次之。