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Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Gill LJ, Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Trialkyl Trimellitates as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol 2024; 43:96S-120S. [PMID: 38158838 DOI: 10.1177/10915818231224248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 5 trialkyl trimellitates. These ingredients, which are all structurally related as alkyl esters of trimellitic acid, are reported to function in cosmetics as skin conditioning agents; 2 of the ingredients are also reported to function in cosmetics as plasticizers. The Panel reviewed the available data to determine the safety of these ingredients, and concluded that the trialkyl trimellitates are safe in the current practices of use and concentration when formulated to be non-irritating.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ronald A Hill
- Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Former Member
| | | | | | - James G Marks
- Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Former Member
| | - Ronald C Shank
- Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety Former Member
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Silano V, Barat Baviera JM, Bolognesi C, Chesson A, Cocconcelli PS, Crebelli R, Gott DM, Grob K, Lampi E, Mortensen A, Steffensen I, Tlustos C, Van Loveren H, Vernis L, Zorn H, Brüschweiler BJ, Castle L, Cravedi J, Di Consiglio E, Franz R, Hellwig N, Kolf‐Clauw M, Milana MR, Pfaff K, Tavares Poças MDF, Svensson K, Wölfle D, Barthélémy E, Rivière G. Safety assessment of the substance trimellitic acid, tris (2‐ethylhexyl) ester, for use in food contact materials. EFSA J 2019; 17:e05864. [PMID: 32626143 PMCID: PMC7008868 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2019.5864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing aids (CEP Panel) is on the safety assessment of trimellitic acid, tris(2‐ethylhexyl) ester, intended to be used as a plasticiser in the manufacture of soft poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) materials and articles, such as wrap films (single uses) and tubing (repeated uses) at up to approximately 10% and 40%, respectively. Under the tested conditions, the substance migrated up to 165 μg/kg food from wrap films and was not detected in food simulant in contact with tubing. Based on the three reported in vitro genotoxicity studies, the Panel concluded that the substance does not raise concern for genotoxicity. The lowest no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), derived from a 90‐day oral toxicity study, was 225 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. Based on data on toxicokinetic and metabolism, the substance does not give rise to concern for accumulation in humans. The substance does not cause developmental effects as induced by phthalic acid, bis(2‐ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP). Assuming that impurities migrate pro‐rata to a migration of the substance up to 5 mg/kg food, their estimated migration does not raise a safety concern. The Panel concluded that the substance does not raise safety concern for the consumer when used in the manufacture of soft PVC under the conditions requested by the applicant for (i) single use wrap films in contact with food for which simulants A, B and D1 are assigned, as well as (ii) tubing for repeated contacts with food for which simulants A and B are assigned. Overall, the use of the substance does not raise a safety concern if its migration does not exceed 5 mg/kg food. Due to the additional contribution from other sources of exposures, the application of an allocation factor should be considered.
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Höllerer C, Becker G, Göen T, Eckert E. Human metabolism and kinetics of tri-(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TEHTM) after oral administration. Arch Toxicol 2018; 92:2793-2807. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2264-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Christensson A, Ljunggren L, Nilsson-Thorell C, Arge B, Diehl U, Hagstam KE, Lundberg M. In vivo Comparative Evaluation of Hemodialysis Tubing Plasticized with DEHP and TEHTM. Int J Artif Organs 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/039139889101400705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - B. Arge
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Linkoping - Sweden
| | | | - K-E. Hagstam
- Department of Medicine, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö
| | - M. Lundberg
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital of Linkoping - Sweden
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Marie C, Hamlaoui S, Bernard L, Bourdeaux D, Sautou V, Lémery D, Vendittelli F, Sauvant-Rochat MP. Exposure of hospitalised pregnant women to plasticizers contained in medical devices. BMC WOMENS HEALTH 2017. [PMID: 28637458 PMCID: PMC5480197 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-017-0398-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Medical devices (MDs) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are not a well-known source of exposure to plasticizers, in particular during pregnancy. Because of its toxicity, the di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has been replaced by other plasticizers such as di (isononyl)-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxilic acid (DINCH), tri-octyltrimellitate (TOTM) and di-(isononyl) phthalate (DiNP). Our study aimed to quantify the plasticizers (DEHP and alternative plasticizers) contained in PVC medical devices used for hospitalised pregnant women and to describe which these MDs had been used (type, number, duration of exposure). Methods The plasticizers contained in the MDs used for daily care in the Obstetrics Department of a French University Hospital were extracted from PVC (after contact with a chloroform solution), identified and quantified by gas-chromatography-mass-spectrometry analysis. A total of 168 pregnant women hospitalised in the Obstetrics Department with at least one catheter were included in the observational study. The median number of MDs containing plasticizers used and the daily duration of exposure to the MDs were compared in three groups of pregnant women: “Pathology group” (women hospitalised for an obstetric disorder who did not give birth during this hospitalisation; n = 52), “Pathology and delivery group” (hospitalised for an obstetric disorder and who gave birth during this stay; n = 23) and “Delivery group” (admitted for planned or spontaneous delivery without obstetric disorder; n = 93). Results DiNP, TOTM and DINCH were the predominant plasticizers contained in the MDs at an amount of 29 to 36 g per 100 g of PVC. Women in the “Pathology group” (preterm labour or other pathology) were exposed to a median number of two MDs containing TOTM and one MD containing DiNP, fewer than those in the “Pathology and delivery group” (p < 0.05). Women in the “Pathology group” had a median exposure of 3.4 h/day to MDs containing DiNP and 8.2 h/day to MDs containing TOTM, longer than those in the “Delivery group” (p < 0.01). Conclusions Our study shows that the medical management of pregnant women in a hospital setting entails exposure to MDs containing alternative plasticizers (DiNP, TOTM and DINCH). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12905-017-0398-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Marie
- Axe TGI-PEPRADE, Institut Pascal, Sigma Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France. .,Service biostatistique, Pôle Santé Publique, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Sebti Hamlaoui
- Axe TGI-PEPRADE, Institut Pascal, Sigma Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Lise Bernard
- Pôle Pharmacie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, ICCF, SIGMA Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Daniel Bourdeaux
- Pôle Pharmacie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, ICCF, SIGMA Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Valérie Sautou
- Pôle Pharmacie, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, ICCF, SIGMA Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Didier Lémery
- Axe TGI-PEPRADE, Institut Pascal, Sigma Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Pôle Gynécologie-obstétrique, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,AUDIPOG (Association des Utilisateurs de Dossiers informatisés en Pédiatrie, Obstétrique et Gynécologie), RTH Laennec Medical University, 69372, Lyon, France
| | - Françoise Vendittelli
- Axe TGI-PEPRADE, Institut Pascal, Sigma Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Pôle Gynécologie-obstétrique, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,AUDIPOG (Association des Utilisateurs de Dossiers informatisés en Pédiatrie, Obstétrique et Gynécologie), RTH Laennec Medical University, 69372, Lyon, France
| | - Marie-Pierre Sauvant-Rochat
- Axe TGI-PEPRADE, Institut Pascal, Sigma Clermont, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,Département Santé Publique et Environnement, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63001, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Eljezi T, Pinta P, Richard D, Pinguet J, Chezal JM, Chagnon MC, Sautou V, Grimandi G, Moreau E. In vitro cytotoxic effects of DEHP-alternative plasticizers and their primary metabolites on a L929 cell line. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 173:452-459. [PMID: 28129623 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Phthalic acid esters have been widely used to improve the plasticity of PVC medical devices. They carry a high exposure risk for both humans and the environment in clinical situations. Our study focuses on the cytotoxicity of alternative plasticizers. Postulated primary metabolites were synthesized, not being commercially available. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on L929 murine cells according to the ISO-EN 10993-5 standard design for the biocompatibility of medical devices. The tested concentrations of plasticizers (0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml) covered the range likely to be found in biological fluids coming into direct contact with the medical devices. DEHP, DINP and DINCH were cytotoxic at the highest concentration (0.1 mg/ml) for 7 days of exposure. Their corresponding metabolites were found to be more cytotoxic, for the same concentration. By contrast, TOTM and its corresponding metabolite MOTM were not found to be cytotoxic. DEHA showed no cytotoxicity, but its corresponding monoester (MEHA) produced a cytotoxic effect at 0.05 mg/ml. In clinical situations, medical devices can release plasticizers, which can come into contact with patients. In vivo, the plasticizers are quickly transformed into primary metabolites. It is therefore important to measure the effects of both the plasticizers and their corresponding metabolites. Standard first-line cytotoxicity assays should be performed to ensure biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teuta Eljezi
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont Ferrand, France; CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Pharmacie, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pierre Pinta
- France Université de Nantes, INSERM, U791, LIOAD, Nantes, F-44042, France
| | - Damien Richard
- Service de Pharmacologie, Hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jérémy Pinguet
- Service de Pharmacologie, Hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Michel Chezal
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont Ferrand, France
| | - Marie-Christine Chagnon
- Nutrition Physiology and Toxicology Team (NUTox), UMR U866 INSERM, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, 1 Esplanade Erasme, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Valérie Sautou
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Pharmacie, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4676C-BIOSENSS, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Gaël Grimandi
- France Université de Nantes, INSERM, U791, LIOAD, Nantes, F-44042, France
| | - Emmanuel Moreau
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERM, U1240 Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques, F-63000 Clermont Ferrand, France.
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Bernard L, Décaudin B, Lecoeur M, Richard D, Bourdeaux D, Cueff R, Sautou V. Analytical methods for the determination of DEHP plasticizer alternatives present in medical devices: a review. Talanta 2014; 129:39-54. [PMID: 25127563 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2014.04.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Until 2010, diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) was the plasticizer most commonly used to soften PVC medical devices (MDs), because of a good efficiency/cost ratio. In flexible plasticized PVC, phthalates are not chemically bound to PVC and they are released into the environment and thus may come into contact with patients. The European Directive 2007/47/CE, classified DEHP as a product with a toxicity risk and restricted its use in MDs. MD manufacturers were therefore forced to quickly find alternatives to DEHP to maintain the elasticity of PVC nutrition tubings, infusion sets and hemodialysis lines. Several replacement plasticizers, so-called "alternative to DEHP plasticizers" were incorporated into the MDs. Nowadays, the risk of exposure to these compounds for hospitalized patients, particularly in situations classified "at risk", has not yet been evaluated, because migrations studies, providing sufficient exposure and human toxicity data have not been performed. To assess the risk to patients of DEHP plasticizer alternatives, reliable analytical methods must be first developed in order to generate data that supports clinical studies being conducted in this area. After a brief introduction of the characteristics and toxicity of the selected plasticizers used currently in MDs, this review outlines recently analytical methods available to determine and quantify these plasticizers in several matrices, allowing the evaluation of potential risk and so risk management.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bernard
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Pharmacie, Rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4676 C-BIOSENSS, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - B Décaudin
- Université Lille Nord de France, EA4481, GRIIOT, BP83, 59006 Lille, France; CHRU Lille, Pharmacie, Avenue Oscar Lambret, 59037 Lille, France
| | - M Lecoeur
- Université Lille Nord de France, EA4481, GRIIOT, BP83, 59006 Lille, France
| | - D Richard
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Service de Pharmacologie (CREPTA), Rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - D Bourdeaux
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Pharmacie, Rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4676 C-BIOSENSS, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - R Cueff
- Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4676 C-BIOSENSS, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - V Sautou
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Pôle Pharmacie, Rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, EA 4676 C-BIOSENSS, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Kambia K, Dine T, Gressier B, Dupin-Spriet T, Luyckx M, Brunet C. Evaluation of the direct toxicity of trioctyltrimellitate (TOTM), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and their hydrolysis products on isolated rat hepatocytes. Int J Artif Organs 2005; 27:971-8. [PMID: 15636055 DOI: 10.1177/039139880402701110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasticizers are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to confer flexibility to the polymer. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most commonly used of them. However, due to its non covalent bond to the PVC, DEHP tends to vaporize easily. A significant exposure has been recorded in dialyzed patients since medical tubings. Most animal species metabolize DEHP rapidly into monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH). Because of the suspected toxicity of DEHP, an alternative plasticizer, trioctyltrimellitate (TOTM) has aroused increasing interest. The aim of this study was to determine on isolated rat hepatocytes in vitro, the direct hepatotoxic potential of both DEHP and TOTM and their hydrolytic products. To evaluate the possible toxic liver risk resulting from exposure to DEHP and TOTM, isolated rat hepatocytes were incubated with either DEHP, TOTM, MEHP or their common metabolite (2-EH) for 3 hours. Cell viability was periodically estimated thanks to trypan blue tests (15 - 180 min). The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was also monitored (1h, 2h, 3h). The results obtained with trypan blue test and with direct LDH activity measurements, were satisfactorily correlated. Hepatocytes treated with both plasticizers and metabolites on the one hand, and the controls (untreated suspension) on the other hand, showed important differences as for cell viability. The acute toxicity on hepatocytes is mainly due to MEHP. Among DEHP, TOTM, MEHP, 2-EH and after intraperitoneal injection of those compounds, only DEHP and MEHP were able to induce a significant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production by the rat hepatocytes. These observations enable us to confirm the hypothesis according to which DEHP and MEHP cause an imbalance between the synthesis and the degradation of H2O2. Our results suggest a short-term in vitro cytotoxicity of MEHP. Even if trypan blue and LDH tests offered good results and were easily branded, further assays as well as MTT-tests should performed in order to confirm the cytotoxicity of the compounds tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kambia
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacocinétique et Pharmacie clinique, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Lille cedex, France
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Kambia K, Dine T, Azar R, Gressier B, Luyckx M, Brunet C. Comparative study of the leachability of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and tri(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate from haemodialysis tubing. Int J Pharm 2001; 229:139-46. [PMID: 11604266 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5173(01)00840-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The leachability of both Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Tri(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TEHTM) or Trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) from haemodialysis tubing was investigated in 20 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. The blood tubing made of common polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized with DEHP (group 1 patients) were replaced with tubing plasticized with TOTM-DEHP (group 2 patients). The patient blood obtained from the inlet and the outlet of the dialyzer was analyzed during a 4 h-dialysis session. Thus, the circulating concentrations of both DEHP and TOTM resulting from the release from dialyzer tubes were estimated using High-performance Liquid chromatograph (HPLC). With the common PVC-DEHP blood tubing, a DEHP quantity of 122.95+/-33.94 mg was extracted from tubing during a single dialysis session (ranging from 55 to 166.21 mg). During the same period, the total amounts of DEHP retained by the patients were 27.30+/-9.22 mg (ranging from 12.50 to 42.72 mg). As for blood tubing plasticized with TOTM-DEHP, 41.80+/-4.47 mg of DEHP and 75.11+/-25.72 mg of TOTM were extracted. During the same period, the amounts of DEHP and TOTM retained by the patients were 3.42+/-1.37 mg and 4.87+/-2.60 mg, respectively. The extraction rate both plasticizers was correlated with serum lipid content (cholesterol+triglyceride) (r(2)=0.75 for DEHP and r(2)=0.64 for TOTM). In the present investigation, less TOTM and DEHP were apparently released from haemodialysis tubing plasticized with TOTM-DEHP than DEHP released from haemodialysis tubing plasticized with DEHP only. TOTM seems to be a superior alternative to DEHP for use in medical devices because of its potential lower leachability. To recommend it as an alternative plasticizer, its possible toxicity towards human body should be investigated before it can be used routinely. However, patients undergoing haemodialysis using tubing plasticized with DEHP only are regularly exposed to non negligible amounts of DEHP. In view of several biological effects previously reported, it is time to reconsider the use of DEHP only as a plasticizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kambia
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Pharmacocinétique et Pharmacie Clinique, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, 3 rue du Professeur Laguesse, BP 83, 59006 Cedex, Lille, France
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Huber WW, Grasl-Kraupp B, Schulte-Hermann R. Hepatocarcinogenic potential of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in rodents and its implications on human risk. Crit Rev Toxicol 1996; 26:365-481. [PMID: 8817083 DOI: 10.3109/10408449609048302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), to which humans are extensively exposed, was found to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats and mice. DEHP is potentially set free from objects made of synthetic materials (e.g., those used in medicine). Chronically, the greatest amounts are transferred to persons undergoing hemodialysis (up to 3.1 mg/kg b.w. per day) who would thus be considered the individuals most endangered by tumorigenesis. Although toxicokinetics seem to play a certain unclear role in the course of DEHP-related toxicity, toxicodynamic factors appear more decisive. DEHP is a representative of "peroxisome proliferators" (PP), a distinct group of substances that, in rodents, do not only induce peroxisomes but also specific enzymes in other organelles, organ growth, and DNA synthesis. The cluster of the characteristic effects of PP is generally, although perhaps not quite appropriately summarized as "peroxisome proliferation," and is strongest in the liver. The lowest observed effect level (LOEL) and the no observed effect level (NOEL) of peroxisome proliferation in the rat, as determined by the induction of specific enzymes (peroxisomal beta-oxidation, carnitine-acetyl-transferase, cytochrome P-452), DNA synthesis, and hepatomegaly, may be assumed as 50 and 25 mg/kg b.w. per day, respectively. DEHP and other carcinogenic PP are neither genotoxic nor tumor initiators, but they appear to be tumor promoters, also implicating a threshold level for the carcinogenic effect. Although a causal relationship between a particular effect of peroxisome proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis is as yet unknown, peroxisome proliferation as a whole phenomenon appears to be associated with the potential of tumor induction, as shown by comparison of the relative strength of individual PP and by comparison of species and organ specificities. Likewise, LOEL and NOEL of rodent carcinogenesis, that is, 300 and 50 to 100 mg/kg b.w. per day, respectively, are above but not too far from the corresponding values for the investigated parameters of peroxisome proliferation. Thus, with respect to dose alone, worst-case exposure in hemodialysis patients is at least 16-fold below the LOEL of any characterized PP-specific effect of DEHP and approximately 100-fold below that of DEHP-related tumorigenesis. Also, primates are less responsive to PP than rats with respect to the investigated biochemical and morphological parameters. If this lower primate responsiveness is extrapolated to estimate carcinogenicity in humans, we might thus arrive at an even larger safety margin than when based on exposure alone. Doses of PP hypolipidemics that had clearly induced several indicators of peroxisome proliferation in rats did not cause any clear-cut enhancements in the peroxisomes of patients, even though most of these hypolipidemics were considerably stronger PP than DEHP. Thus, an actual threat to humans by DEHP seems rather unlikely. Accordingly, hepatocarcinogenesis was neither enhanced in workers exposed to DEHP nor in patients treated with hypolipidemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- W W Huber
- Institut für Tumorbiologie und Krebsforschung, University of Vienna, Austria
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Rathinam K, Srivastava SP, Seth PK. Hepatic studies of intraperitoneally administered tris(2-ethyl hexyl)trimellitate (TOTM) and di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate in rats. J Appl Toxicol 1990; 10:39-41. [PMID: 2335710 DOI: 10.1002/jat.2550100107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Adult male rats receiving tris(2-ethyl hexyl)trimellitate (TOTM) intraperitoneally for seven days exhibited no significant changes in the activities of hepatic aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase or glutathione-S-transferase, or in the glutathione contents. However, except for the glutathione level, the di(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP)-treated group showed significant increases in the activities of these enzymes. Changes in the body weight and the absolute and relative liver weights were also observed among the DHEP-treated group.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Rathinam
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Biomedical Technology Wing, Poojapura Trivandrum, India
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