Oxidative Damage Induced by Di-ethylhexyl Phthalate on Brain Cells in Internal Organs of Mice

To study genotoxicity and oxidative damage induced by di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in mice, different doses of DEHP were injected in the abdomen of the mice for 2 weeks. The effect of DEHP on DNA damage in nerve system of mice by celiac injection was examined by using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and the changes of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver, testicle and brain were also measured. Results showed that DEHP can induce DNA damage of nervy system of mice and DNA damage arouse along with the elevation of concentrations of DEHP (125, 375, 500 mg/kg.d). When the concentrations were 125 mg/kg.d and 375 mg/kg.d, DEHP can induce DNA strand breaks (p < 0.01, compared with control group) . The activity of SOD in liver, testicle and brain first arouse and then decreased alone with the rising of the doses. There were significant different in SOD activity in 375 mg/kg.d DEHP exposure group compared with that of the control. In conclusion, DEHP can induce DNA damage in nerve system of mice and oxidative damage in internal organs of mice with apparent dose-dependent manner.