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Impact of the Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Administration on Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Relation of Kidney and Liver Damage in Rats

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Abstract

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used synthetic polymer in the industry. DEHP may induce reproductive and developmental toxicity, obesity, carcinogenesis and cause abnormal endocrine function in both human and wildlife. The aim of this study was to investigate trace element and mineral levels in relation of kidney and liver damage in DEHP-administered rats. Therefore, prepubertal male rats were dosed with 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day of DEHP. At the end of the experiment, trace element and mineral levels, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activities were evaluated in the serum, liver, and kidney samples of rats. Furthermore, serum clinical biochemistry parameters, organ/body weight ratios and histological changes were investigated to evaluate impact of DEHP more detailed. Our data indicated that sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), lithium (Li), rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) levels significantly decreased, however iron (Fe) and selenium (Se) concentrations significantly increased in DEHP-administered groups compared to the control in the serum samples. On the other hand, upon DEHP administration, selenium concentration, G6PD and GR activities were significantly elevated, however 6-PGD activity significantly decreased compared to the control group in the kidney samples. Decreased G6PD activity was the only significant change between anti-oxidant enzyme activities in the liver samples. Upon DEHP administration, aberrant serum biochemical parameters have arisen and abnormal histological changes were observed in the kidney and liver tissue. In conclusion, DEHP may induce liver and kidney damage, also result abnormalities in the trace element and mineral levels.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Hacettepe University (Project number is 1183). Also, the authors gratefully acknowledge the use of the services and facilities of the Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), equally funded by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Development Research Infrastructure Support Program. Findings, opinions or points of view expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Ministry of Development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Koc University, Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sariyer, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey

    Duygu Aydemir & Nuriye Nuray Ulusu

  2. Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Dumlupınar University, Kütahya, Turkey

    Gözde Karabulut

  3. Koç University Surface Science and Technology Center (KUYTAM), Rumelifeneri Yolu, Sariyer, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey

    Gülsu Şimşek

  4. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Muslum Gok

  5. Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey

    Nurhayat Barlas

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  1. Duygu Aydemir
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Correspondence to Nuriye Nuray Ulusu.

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Aydemir, D., Karabulut, G., Şimşek, G. et al. Impact of the Di(2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate Administration on Trace Element and Mineral Levels in Relation of Kidney and Liver Damage in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 186, 474–488 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1331-0

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