Induction of hepatic polyamines by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in rats

Wistar male albino rats, weighting 125-150 g, were administered di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) orally at 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body weight diluted in groundnut oil consecutively for 14 days. Spermidine and spermine of the livers were separated by thin-layer chromatography and quantitatively estimated by spectrofluorometry. DEHP exposure led to a significant increase in the absolute and relative weights of the liver at the 1000 and 2000 mg/kg dose levels. Spermidine and spermine levels were induced significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in spermidine was greater as compared to that of spermine. Our results manifest that DEHP significantly induces the levels of hepatic polyamines.