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679238 
Journal Article 
Biochemical changes in liver of rats fed the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexy) phthalate 
Bell, FP; Buthala, DA 
1983 
Yes 
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
ISSN: 0007-4861
EISSN: 1432-0800 
HEEP/84/06653 
31 
2 
177-182 
English 
6616088 
WOS:A1983RB79000009 
The hepatic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (117817) (DEHP) were studied in rats. Male SD-rats were fed a diet containing 1 percent DEHP for 3 weeks. They were then killed, and their livers were removed and homogenized. The homogenates were assayed for adenine-nucleotide-translocase (ANT) activity, cholesterol esterification by microsomal acylCoA:cholesterol-acyltransferase (ACAT), and for the biosynthesis of cholesterol. DEHP increased ANT activity by 4 percent, which was not considered statistically significant. DEPH significantly reduced the rate of cholesterol esterification by ACAT. Total ACAT activity was reduced by 69 percent. DEHP inhibited the biosynthesis of cholesterol by 56 percent. The authors conclude that DEHP does not affect mitochondrial ANT activity in rats. The mechanism for inhibition of ACAT and cholesterol biosynthesis in rats is not known. DEHP can change the fluid membrane properties of the endoplasmic reticulum. Because ACAT and the microsomal enzymes of sterol synthesis are affected by membrane fluidity changes, their reactivity would be changed. 
administration & dosage; Animals; biosynthesis; Cholesterol; Diethylhexyl Phthalate; drug effects; enzymology; Liver; Male; metabolism; Microsomes,Liver; Mitochondria,Liver; Mitochondrial ADP,ATP Translocases; pharmacology; Phthalic Acids; Rats; Sterol O-Acyltransferase