Examination of Impact of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate and Dibutyl Phthalate on Rat Internal Organs by Scanning Acoustic Microscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

Objective: Phthalates, despite their endocrine-disrupting effects, are widely used as plastifiants. Environmental exposure of phthalates was demonstrated to cause fetal death and reproductive toxicity in human beings, as well as in laboratory animals. However, underlying mechanisms are not clear. Material and Methods: Here, we examine the impact of di(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on rat lungs, brain, and heart by scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES). First, we evaluate tissues of mother rats and we show that the acoustic impedance values of tissues of DEHP and DBP delivered rats differ from those of tissues of the control rat. Then, element level analyses within these tissues are done and element levels within tissues of DEHP and DBP delivered pregnant rats are found to be higher than those within tissues of the control pregnant rat. We then evaluate the tissues of offspring female rats. Results: It is shown that acoustic impedance values of tissues of offspring rats of DEHP and DBP delivered mother rats are higher than those of tissues of the control offspring rats of the control mother rat. Besides, element analysis reveals higher element levels in the tissues of offspring rats of DEHP and DBP delivered mother rats. Conclusion: Therefore, we can conclude that phthalates cause structural and functional changes within rat internal organs such as lungs, brain, and heart. In summary, both modalities are confirmatory in a way that tissues of DEHP and DBP exposed pregnant rats and their offspring rats are differentiated by different acoustic impedance values obtained by SAM and higher element levels specified by ICP-OES.