Kyung-Hyun Cho
Yeungnam University, South Korea.
Title: Exposure of phthalates is associated with embryonic toxicity, fatty liver changes, and hypolipidemia via impairment of lipoprotein functions
Biography
Biography: Kyung-Hyun Cho
Abstract
Phthalates are widely used for the industrial production of various items such as plastics and medical devices. Phthalates are notorious for high potential toxicity in endocrinological and reproduction systems of humans and animals. In this study, we investigated the cardiovascular toxic effects of phthalates on human lipoproteins, macrophages, and zebrafish embryos. Treatment of phthalate into human plasma HDL3 caused aggregation and degradation of lipoprotein in a dose-dependent manner. Phthalates promoted foam cell formation via accelerated phagocytosis of LDL by macrophages as well as exacerbated cellular senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. Zebrafish were exposed to water containing phthalates (final 11 and 22 ppm) for 4 weeks under normal diet (ND) or high cholesterol diet (HCD) consumption. ND group showed 59% reduction of plasma total cholesterol (TC), whereas HCD group showed 49% reduction of TC. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels of ND and HCD groups were 45% and 32% lower than that of control, respectively. Serum enzyme levels of hepatic inflammation were significantly increased by the phthalate exposure compared to the control group. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to water containing phthalates (final 11 and 22 ppm) caused early death along with increased oxidized products and impaired development. In conclusion, phthalate showed strong pro-atherogenic effects via severe modification of lipoproteins and induction of aging process in human dermal fibroblast cells in addition to pro-inflammatory activity and immune stimulation in zebrafish embryos.