The effect of maternal exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalateon the lung of albino rat offspring: a histological andimmunohistochemical study

IntroductionDi-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is present in a wide variety of medical devices.Infants are more susceptible than the general population.Aim of workTo investigate histological and immnohistochemical changes in the lung of newbornrats in response to mothers’ exposure.Materials and methodsTwenty nonpregnant adult female albino rats were used. After pregnancy, on the15th day of pregnancy, dams were divided into two equal groups: the control groupreceived corn oil and the treated group received DEHP (500 mg/kg/day) from the15th day of pregnancy and during the 1st three weeks of lactation. Fifteen offspringfrom each group were subdivided into three subgroups, 1, 2, and 3, which weresacrificed at the 2nd, 7th, and 21st postnatal day, respectively. Lung specimenswere processed for light microscope (H E and immunohistochemical staining ofproliferating cell nuclear antigen) and electron microscope examination.ResultsH E-stained sections of treated lung on the 2nd day showed variable-sized saccules.Primary septa were significantly thicker than those of the control group. However, onthe 7th day, focally dilated saccules with thin primary septa were observed. Sacculesand secondary septa were fewer than those in the control group. On the 21st day,variable-sized alveoli and a significant increase in septal thickness were observed.Immunohistochemically, there was a significant increase in proliferating cell nuclearantigen-positive cells on both the 2nd day and the 21st day, whereas they decreasedon the 7th day in comparison with the control group. Ultrastructurally, treated lungon the 2nd day showed a saccular wall with many layers of interstitial cells, somewith shrunken nuclei, whereas on the 7th day, thin septa were observed. Type IIpneumocytes and interstitial cells had heterochromatic shrunken nuclei, whereas onthe 21st day, the presence of macrophages was observed in the lumen. Interstitialscells and type II pneumocytes showed heterochromatic nuclei and marked distortionof organelles.ConclusionDEHP induced marked histological and immunohistochemical changes in the lung.Alternative plasticizers with less adverse impact could be used. Further studies onthe possible protective effect of antioxidants are recommended.