Effects Of DEHP on Expression of Estrogen Synthetase and Matrix Metalloproteinases in Placenta: Possible Involvement of PPARG

Objectives To understand the role of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors gamma (PPARG) in the effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure on regulation of estrogens and inflammatory mediators in placeta.

Method A total of 60 female Sprague-Dawley rats (6-7 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups, 20 in each, control group (corn oil), exposure group (2 g/kg of DEHP), intervention group (DEHP 2 g/kg, and 0.5 mg/kg GW9662 (antagonist of PPARG) were added from 28^th day), the treatments were conducted through gavage everyday. The female rats were mated with health male rats at 30th day of treatment and sacrificed at day 20 of gestation. The placenta were isolated for the detection of PPARG protein and PPARG, CYP191, 17HSDb1, 17HSDb2, 17HSDb3, 17HSDb4, 17HSDb7, 17HSDb8, 3HSDb1, PLA2G4A, PTGS2, PTGES2, HPGD, MMP2, MMP9 mRNA expression.

Results Compared with the control, the protein expression of PPARG in placenta significantly increased in both exposure and intervention group (P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of 17HSDb3, 17HSDb4, 17HSDb7 and 3HSDb1, significantly increased in exposure group (P < 0.01), CYP191a1, MMP2 and MMP9 significantly decreased in exposure group (P < 0.01).The mRNA expression of 17HSDb3、17HSDb4、MMP9 was recuperated significantly in intervention group.

Conclusion The present study shows that DEHP exposure in pregnancy can disturb estrogens and matrix matalloproteinases synthesis in placenta, which is partially associated with the up-regulation of placenta PPARG expression.