Damage Effects of DEHP on DNA in Cells from Various Organs of Mice

Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was used in the present study to detect the DNA damage induced by Di-(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in three organs (liver, testis, and brain) of mice. The results showed that DEHP could induce DNA damage in mice, and the damage effect increased with the concentrations of DEHP, indicating the dose-dependent manner of DEHP toxicity. A significant DNA breakage was observed in the cells of testis, stomach and brain was the concentration of DEHP was 375mg/kg (p<0.01). Meanwhile, DEHP at concentration of 125mg/kg could induce significant DNA breakage in the cells of liver (p<0.01). When the concentration of DEHP was 500mg/kg, DNA breakage was not significant except in brain cells, which may be probably resulted from the formation of crosslinks. These results combined suggested that DEHP could induce DNA damage in mice.