title: Effects of 2-ethylhexanoic acid on the production of reactive oxygen species in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro.
abstract: 2-Ethylhexanoic acid (2-EHA), is an industrial chemical and a toxic biotransformation product of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Its immunological effects are unknown. 2-EHA resembles structurally C18 fatty acids, which are known activators of respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). Therefore, we exposed PMNL to 2-EHA in vitro and measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and explored the associated cellular mechanisms. 2-EHA (10-2000 microM) inhibited dose-dependently formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-induced respiratory burst in PMNL. Moreover, 2-EHA decreased oxidative burst evoked by the protein kinase C (PKC) activators, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and dioctanoyl-s,n-glycerol (DIC(8)). 2-EHA affected neither the levels of free intracellular calcium nor inhibited PKC. The results indicate that 2-EHA inhibits activation of PMNL to produce ROS, i.e. has an immunosuppressive effect in vitro. The site of action in the PKC is after activation of this enzyme.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 93, FIN-70701, Kuopia, Finland. sirpa.pennanen@occuphealth.fi
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pennanen
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Heiskanen
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komulainen
mesh_terms: D002208:Caproates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002208:Caproates; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C040668:2-ethylhexanoic acid; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate