Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is extensively used in many personal care and consumer products, which results in widespread human exposure. Limited studies have suggested that exposure to DEHP may affect thyroid function, but little is known about the effect and mechanisms of DEHP exposure on the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPTA). The present study was conducted to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying DEHP disrupting the function of the HPTA. DEHP was administered to Wistar rats by gavage at 0, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg/day for consecutive 28 days and then the rats were sacrificed within 24 h following the last dose. The hormone levels of HPTA were quantified with radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the protein levels of thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) were analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and the expression levels of TRHR and TSHR mRNA were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The low dose of DEHP increased the body weights of rats. Serum levels of T3, T4, FT3 and FT4 as well as protein and mRNA levels of TSHR decreased in rats treated with 50 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg DEHP compared with those of controls. Although the protein levels of TRH in the hypothalamus or protein and mRNA levels of TRHR in pituitary were up-regulated, serum levels of TSH did not change statistically in rats treated with DEHP. Therefore, DEHP can produce thyroid toxicity and may interfere with the secretion of pituitary TSH. In conclusion, DEHP could interfere with the balance of HPTA of adolescent rats, and disturb the homeostasis of thyroid related hormones and the expression levels of receptors.
Keywords: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; Endocrine disruptors; Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis; Phthalates; Thyroid.