| Abstract |
: |
Background: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), the most widely used plasticizer is a reproductive toxicant and is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor. Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the major DEHP metabolite, causes testicular injury through oxidative stress in rodents. Therefore, we are concerned about the adverse effect of DEHP that disrupts reproductive health in humans. Method: To clarify the quantitative relation between MEHP burden and testicular atrophy, four-week-old and five-week-old (age at start) rats were receiving 1 or 2% (w/w) DEHP diet for two weeks, and plasma and testicular MEHP concentrations of the rats were determined. And also, to clarify the protective potency of D-allulose (D-psicose) against MEHP-induced testicular atrophy, four-week-old rats received a 1% (w/w) DEHP diet and 2% (w/w) D-allulose water for two weeks. Result: Both of four-week-old rats and five-week-old rats given 2% DEHP diet showed a significant reduction of the relative testicular weight resulted in a severe testicular atrophy. On the other hand, in rats given 1% DEHP diet, only the four-week-old rats showed a significant reduction of the testicular weight. MEHP dependent negative correlations were found between plasma MEHP levels, and relative testicular weights and also found between testicular MEHP levels, and relative testicular weights. Although plasma and testicular MEHP levels in the four-week-old rats and five-week-old rats were similar distribution, four-week-old rats were more susceptible to the testicular toxicity than five-week-old rats. In contrast, in the four-week-old rats treated with l%DEHP diet and 2%D-allulose water for two weeks, relative testicular weights and histologic observations were similar to those of the control group and were independent of MEHP. Conclusion: These results show that the testicular atrophy induced by DEHP is age dependent and MEHP dependent, and D-allulose, a rare sugar can prevent testicular atrophy in rats exposed to a high concentration of DEHP in their diet. D-allulose may be useful as a preventive for oxidant testite damage in humans and may also be used in endangered species. |
Copyright to ENGG Journals Publications
