Some aspects of DEHP and its action on lipid metabolism.

In 1967, Nazir et al. (1,2) reported the specific localization of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in bovine heart muscle mitochondria. This led us to investigate the action of dietary DEHP in a number of selected tissues. Preliminary, unpublished studies have indicated that adipose tissue and total body weights were affected by the addition of DEHP to the diet. The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral DEHP administration affects lipid or DEHP concentrations in a select number of organs. Another objective of this work was to determine whether tissue DEHP and lipid levels were affected by removal of fat from the normal diet. The heart, liver, and epididymal fat pad were used for experimental determinations.