DEHP effects on retinal vessels in newborn rats: a qualitative and quantitative analysis

Abstract

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), employed in polyvinyl chloride fabrication and released by endotracheal tubes, is known to cause alterations to several mammalian tissues, markedly in immature animals. The high incidence and severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy in preterm babies submitted to endotracheal intubation prompted us to investigate the effects of DEHP in lung and retina perinatal development. We previously demonstrated that in rats delivered and breast-fed by DEHP-treated mothers lung alveolarisation is severely impaired. In the present research, the maturation of retinal vessels was studied in (a) flat-mounted retinas obtained after intracardiac injection of FITC-conjugated dextran, (b) flat-mounted retinas incubated with FITC-conjugated Bandeira simplicifolia isolectin B4, marker of vascular endothelial cells, and (c) eyecup sections incubated with biotinylated IB4 and revealed by ABC. DEHP-induced vascular alterations mainly affected the superficial plexus, where the radial vessels showed non-perfused as well as remarkably dilated and branched segments, capillary net appeared coarsely arranged and locally absent; periarteriolar capillary-free regions were still found in 14-day-old animals. This extensive vascular remodelling and generally the high responsiveness to DEHP shown by the immature rat retina confirm previous hypothesis that the phthalate released by PVC medical devices remarkably affects perinatal development of several tissues in different body districts.

Exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibits luteal function via dysregulation of CD31 and prostaglandin F2alpha in pregnant mice

“…In addition, Federica Romani indicated that levels of VEGF protein in human luteal cells had a statistically significant decrease after incubation with DEHP [ 19 ]. Moreover, DEHP treatment negatively affects the development of retinal vessels in newborn rats [ 27 ]. These data suggest that DEHP negatively influences corpus luteum function by inhibiting luteal angiogenesis in pregnant mice.…”

Phthalates in the NICU: Is it safe?

“…Zei et al . observed retinal vessel remodelling in immature rat pups subjected to DEHP, and made a link with the high incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in ventilated premature infants . Finally, concerns are emerging regarding the potential neurodevelopmental consequences of early phthalate exposure in preterm neonates, as different neurobehavioural changes were observed following exposure in human fetuses at the same critical developmental window .…”

Extending the knowledge in histochemistry and cell biology

“…The authors clearly demonstrated that in DEHPtreated newborns the alveolarization process is dramatically altered. In another study, Zei et al (2009) studied DEHP eVects on retinal vessels in newborn rats. Extensive vascular remodeling after DEHP exposure again pointed to the severe and pathogenic eVects of DEHP during perinatal development of various tissues.…”