The effects of di-n-butyl phthalate on the somatic cells of laboratory mice

• Published in: Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 13 - 19
• Main Authors: Dobrzyńska, Małgorzata M, Tyrkiel, Ewa J, Hernik, Agnieszka, Derezińska, Edyta, Góralczyk, Katarzyna, Ludwicki, Jan K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Poland 2010
• Subjects: Animals; Body Weight - drug effects; Bone Marrow - drug effects; Dibutyl Phthalate - blood; Dibutyl Phthalate - toxicity; DNA Damage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Liver - drug effects; Male; Mice; Mutagens - toxicity; Plasticizers - toxicity; Toxicity Tests, Chronic
• ISSN: 0035-7715

Phthalates are widely used as a plasticizers in manufacture of synthetic materials and as solvents in sanitary products, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Dibutylphthalate (DBP) is used as a plasticizers and as a textile lubricating agent and as solvent in printing ink. The study aimed the evaluation of the magnitude of DNA damage in liver and bone marrow cells and estimation of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) concentration in peripheral blood following prolonged exposure to DBP. Experiments were conducted an the Pzh:Sfis male mice. Animals were exposed 8 weeks, 3 days per week per os to DBP suspension in oil in doses of 500 mg/kg bw (1/16 LD50) and 2000 mg/kg bw (1/4 LD50). Following groups of mice were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks after the start of exposure and 4 weeks after the end of exposure. Decreased body weight of mice and statistically significant decreased liver and relative liver weights were observed following 8-weeks exposure to 2000 mg/kg bw DBP. In the same time higher however not statistically significant level of DNA damage measured by Comet assay in liver cells were noted. DBP did not induce enhanced frequency of DNA damage in bone marrow cells. Following 8-weeks exposure to the dose of 2000 mg/kg bw DBP the increased level of DBP in peripheral blood was observed. Enhanced levels of DBP were still noted 4 weeks after the termination of exposure. Results confirmed that DBP acts as a weak mutagen for DNA of somatic cells. However, following prolonged exposure this compound seems to undergo slower metabolism and was reaching temporarily higher levels in peripheral blood.