Perinatal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate leads to restricted growth and delayed lung maturation in newborn rats

Document Type

Article (peer-reviewed)

Publication Date

2010

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women and infants have significant exposures to the most commonly used plasticizer di-(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP). Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of DEHP exposure on growth and lung maturation in rats and determine if DEHP regulation of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 gene (Hsd11b1) expression in the lung tissue plays a role in its effects on lung maturation. Method: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were treated from gestational day 12 to postnatal day (PND) 21 with DEHP orally at dosages of 0, 10, 100 or 750 mg/kg/day, respectively (n = 8 for each group). Two rat pups (one male and one female) from each litter were sacrificed at PND 1 and 21. Body weight was measured and the lung was processed for histology and calculation of lung interstitial tissue proportion as well as real-time PCR determination of the expressions of Hsd11b1, surfactant associated protein-A1 gene (Sftpa1) and B gene (Sftpb). Results: The perinatal DEHP exposure led to a dose dependent intrauterine and postnatal growth restriction (P < 0.001). High dose DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) exposure led to decreased gas-exchange space as evidenced by increased lung interstitial tissue proportion (P < 0.001), but did not cause significant changes in Hsd11b1, Sftpal or Sftpb gene expression in the rat lung at PND 1. The DEHP-induced change in lung histology remained significant at PND 21 with improvement despite continual exposure to DEHP. Conclusion: Perinatal DEHP exposure leads to growth restriction and delayed lung maturation in newborn rats.

DOI

10.1515/jpm.2010.083

Language

English

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