title: Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Increases Insulin Expression and Lipid Levels in Drosophila melanogaster.
abstract: Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is one of the most widely used plasticizers, and human beings are exposed to DEHP via polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials, medical equipment and even drinking water. While DEHP has been implicated to influence metabolism and endocrine functions, important questions remain about the molecular mechanisms of these effects. We employed the model organism Drosophila melanogaster and examined physiological, molecular and behavioural effects from DEHP-contaminated food. We found that DEHP, at levels comparable to human exposure, made male flies more resistant to starvation and increased lipid levels, while decreasing circulating carbohydrates. Moreover, DEHP-fed male flies had higher expression levels of an insulin-like peptide known to regulate metabolism, as well as the insulin receptor. Our results suggest that long-term DEHP feeding may induce diabetes-like dysfunctions. These findings provide a molecular background of how DEHP may have detrimental effects on metabolic functions.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wiemerslage
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Petra S K
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Marttila
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Unit of Functional pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helgi B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Schiöth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000633:toxicity*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010968:Plasticizers; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C542424:ILP3 protein, Drosophila; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010968:Plasticizers; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate; D011972:Receptor, Insulin