• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2011

Objectives: Although phthalates like dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) are commonly used as plasticizers and their metabolites are especially suspected of reproductive toxicity, little is known about occupational exposure to those phthalates. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of measuring the metabolite concentrations of DBP and DEHP in serum and urine samples as an indicator of occupational exposure to those phthalates. Methods: Phthalate metabolites were analyzed by using column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: We detected phthalate metabolites in serum and urine matrices at approximately 10-fold lower than the limit of detection of those metabolites in the same matrix by LC-MS/MS without column switching, which was sufficient to evaluate concentrations of phthalate metabolites for industrial workers and the general population. Conclusion: The accuracy and precision of the analytical method indicate that urinary metabolite determination can be a more acceptable biomarker for studying phthalate exposure and adverse health outcomes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 2002

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) characterized the cancer hazard of di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) as a B2 group (probable human carcinogen) and proposed "Guide-lines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment". This guidelines proposed alternative methods for analyzing carcinogen dose-response data and for extrapolating the effects of observed at high dose to predict that might occur at lower doses relevant to human exposure. This proposed guidelines state that "If in a particular case, the evidence indicated a threshold, as in the case of carcinogenicity being secondary to another toxicity that has a threshold, the margin of exposure analysis for toxicity is the same as is done for a non-cancer endpoint". DEHP is excellent candidate for reconideration under the new guidelines for carcinogen risk assessment (John Doull et al., 1998). This study is conducted about risk assessment for infant exposure on DEHP in powdered milk wing methodology in EPA's new guideline on carcinogenic risk assessment. Estimated cancer risk of DEHP in powdered milk and cow milk is 2.83$\times$$10^5$ (using cancer potency: 1.4$\times$$10^2$/ (mg/kg/day)) as mean and MOE is 12075 (using selected NOEL 20 mg/kg/day) as mean. mg/kg/day) as mean.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1_2
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• pp.67-73
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• 1989

Recently pathotoxicological study of lymphoid organs by administration of some phthalate ester in rats, indicated marked effect of architechure of thymus, spleen, and lymphonodes. Dioctyl phthalate (DOP), one of the phthalate ester, caused statistically significant reduction in the weights of various lymphoid organs. This senstivity of the lymphoid organ to phthalate toxicity which could lead to adverse effects on the immune response and also suppression of immune system. Therfore it is possible the presense of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the phthalate ester as well as DOP, in spleen and other organs might have some moderately effect on the function of the immune system, So our present study was proceeded to assess the effect of DEHP on the immunotoxicity in mouse. In the immune response of DEHP administered mice, HA, HY, Arthus reaction and Rosette forming cell were decreased but DTH was increased. Furthermore, in the DEHP plus ethanol group, HA, HY, Arthus reaction and Rosette forming cell were remarkably decreased and elevation of DTH was inhibited.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo toxicity of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), on the immune system of the rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus. Fish were injected twice intraperitoneally with DEHP (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW), and the cellularity and functional activity of phagocytes in the spleen and head kidney were measured. The number of head kidney leukocyte cells was significantly greater in fish treated with 800-mg DEHP/kg BW. Nonspecific immunity, as determined by the phagocytic index, was significantly decreased at 800-mg DEHP/kg BW in the head kidney. A significant reduction in phagocytic capacity was observed in the head kidney at ${\geq}$400-mg DEHP/kg BW. Furthermore, significantly increased levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic pyruvate transaminase indicated a marked hepatic dysfunction in immunosuppressed fish. Total serum protein was significantly reduced at ${\geq}$400-mg DEHP/kg BW; however, there were no significant changes in lysozyme activity. These results demonstrate that immune responses in the rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus can predict immunotoxicity at doses ${\geq}$400-mg DEHP/kg BW.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.264-271
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• 2004

An aquatic food chain was constructed to provide information of bioaccumulation of DEHP as followed: phytoplankton(Scenedesmus subspicatus) ${\rightarrow}$ zooplankton(Daphnia magna) ${\rightarrow}$ fish(Oryzias latipes). After 10 days of exposure to DEHP, the fish and culture water were analyzed for residual concentration of DEHP and BAF(Bioaccumulation Factor) was determined. In addition, BCF(Bioconcentration Factor) was calculated in exposure tank in which fish were only exposed DEHP by culture water. These experiments provide the relative importance between BAF and BCF. In this study, BCF and BAF did not show any significant difference. Another work in this study was model construction and application to investigate the effect of food chain structure to BAF in higher organism (fish). The model constructed in this study considered the biological characteristics of DEHP such as metabolic parameters, as well as the chemical characteristics such as solubility. This model could be used in prediction of bioaccumulation level in dependent of various food chain structures, when the target organisms or chemicals would be changed.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2021

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) could induce metabolic disorders through interfering with thyroid homeostasis. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of short term to environmental relevant doses of DEHP on thyroid hormones. Four week old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with vehicle (corn oil), and DEHP 0.75, 7.5, and 150 mg/kg/day. The rats were treated with once daily by oral gavage and were sacrificed with after 1 week. They were measured body weight and relative thyroid weight, serum thyroid hormones and histological changes of thyroid. There was no difference in body weight between the control and DEHP exposed rats. Relative thyroid weight in DEHP 150 mg/kg/day treated group was significantly lower than control. Serum thyroxine levels was decreased in rats exposed to 0.75 and 150 mg/kg/day DEHP. No histological changes were observed in the thyroid of rats administered DEHP compared to control. Exposure to DEHP at environmental relevant levels, even short-term exposure, can cause hypothyroidism in adolescent rats even the exposure period is relative short.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2005

The rodent Hershberger assay is considered as a potential short term in vivo screening method for the detection of androgenic or anti-androgenic compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-androgenic activities of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), and butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP). A 10-day Hershberger assay was performed using immature Sprague-Dawley male rats castrated at 6 weeks of age. Tastosterone propionate (TP, 0.4 mg/kg/day) was administered s.c. to castrated male rats and followed by flutamide (1, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day) treatment for 10 days by oral gavage. Similarly, DEHP, DBP, or BBP were also administered by oral gavage at 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day after TP (0.4 mg/kg/day) administration. As expected, flutamide significantly inhibited the TP-induced re-growth of seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, and Levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscles (LABC) at 1 mg/kg/day and above, and Cowper's glands and glans penis at 5 mg/kg/day and above. DEHP significantly (p<0.05) decreased the seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, LABC and Cowper's glands weights at 1000 mg/kg/day. BBP at 1000 mg/kg/day significantly inhibited TP-induced re-growth of the LABC in the immature castrated male rats, whereas ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and Cowper's glands weights were unaffected. In contrast to DEHP, DBP did not affect accessory sex organ weights at any concentration. Body weights, combined adrenal glands, and kidney weights were not affected, but liver weights were significantly increased at high dosages in the DEHP, DBP, and BBP treatment groups. Our observations strongly suggest that DEHP acts as an androgen antagonist at the high dose (i.e., 1000 mg/kg/day).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2000

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) has been known as one of endocrine disruptors. The present study was carried out to investigate the alterations of fine structure in rat seminal vesicle after oral intubation of DEHP in dosages of 1g/kg/day, 2g/kg/day or 3g/kg/day respectively in 0.5 ml of corn oil for If days. In rats treated with DEHP for 15 days, seminal vesicle exhibited extensive histological alterations compared to those observed in control groups. The size of the seminal vesicle and the mucosal folds decreased, but the lamina propria was considerably thickened. The ultrastructural changes of epithelial cells in seminal vesicle of rat treated with DEHP were characterized by the high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio and the increased beterochromatin within irregular nuclear envelope. And also, the rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and secretory vesicles were poorly developed. In conclusion, DEHP caused the ultrastructural and functional alterations of seminal vesicle in rats dose-dependently. It is suggested that these detrimental effects of DEHP on seminal vesicle are derived from the decrease level of testosterone.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.110-117
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• 2005

DEHP is one of well known endocrine disrupter and it is used as additives for the production of PVC. There has been contradictional result on the genotoxicity of DEHP. In order to examine genotoxicity of a endocrine disruptors, DEHP (Di-2-EthylHexyl Phthalate) and it's metabolites, EHA (2-EthylHexanoic Acid) and DEP (Di-2-Ethyl Phthalate), chromosome aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronuclei (MN) and single cell gel electrophoresis were analysised. No increase of the frequency of CA was observed by DEHP and its two metabolites. DEHPincreased the frequency of SCE and MN whereas EHA only increased the frequency of SCE. DEP increased the frequency of SCE but the increase was not statistically significant. DEHP and DEP, also induced DNA damage. It is suggested that combination of different methods were recomended to find the genotoxicity of DEHP and its metabolites.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2000

Phthalate esters are used extensively as a plasticizer in the manufacture of plastic products such as PVC bags and medical devices. Recently, phthalate esters have been shown to induce endocrine system mediated responses. However. only a Jew studies have been conducted for estrogenic activity of phthalate esters. In this study estrogenic activities of seven phthalate esters. butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethylphthalate (DEP), di-n-pentylphthalate (DPP), di-n-propylphthalate (DPrP) and dicyclohexylphthalate (DCHP), were examined in vitro using E-screen assay and competitive binding assay. From the E-screen assay, BBP. DEHP. DBP and DEP showed weak estrogenic activity at the concentration of 5 $\mu\textrm{M}$. The relative proliferative effect (RPE) and the relative proliferative potency (RPP) were 50~70% and 0.01%. respectively, when compared with 500 pM of 17$\beta$-estradiol (E2). In competitive binding assay with the rat uterine estrogen receptor (ER), BBP and DEP showed weak binding potency ［(l/$10^4$~1/$10^5$ of E2］ while DEHP and DBP scarcely bound to ER. These results suggest that some phthalate esters have weak estrogenic activities in vitro.