Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (CED0003449)

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (C24H38O4) is an exogenous liquid with an average molecular weight of 390.56 g/mol. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate belongs to the benzoic acids and derivatives, a subclass of benzene and substituted derivatives within the organic compounds. It is used industrially as a plasticiser, solvent, deodorizer, fragrance, catalyst, additive, and as a degradant or impurity (PMC3876891). Biologically, it acts as an apoptosis inhibitor, an androstane receptor agonist, and an antibacterial agent (PMC4897200), and it is characterized as an endocrine disruptor (PMC12032333, PMC9352620) and an environmental contaminant (PMC6016686). The compound is found in 52 recorded sources, including electrical and electronic equipment, household cleaning and consumer products, building and construction materials, indoor air, drinking water, and food processing and cookware. Exposure occurs via touch, oral ingestion, and inhalation (PMC1665441, PMC7915273). Its protein targets include the nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I members 2 and 3, cytochrome P450 2B6, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha, delta, and gamma. The metabolite monoethylhexylphthalate activates these receptors, which is believed to enhance cell proliferation and increase hydrogen peroxide production by peroxisomes, leading to carcinogenic and hepatotoxic effects. Health effects associated with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate include obesity (PMC4473834), inflammation (PMC12105142), melanoma (PMC3251165), hyperglycemia (PMC13167959), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (PMC11348251), and low birth weight (PMC3701998). It is linked to infertility (PMC5078033) and male infertility (PMC13085495), with increased urinary levels noted in hypospadias (PMC8502235). Additionally, it is associated with asthma (PMC7786300) and allergic asthma (PMC7786300), though some data indicate a decrease in asthma (PMC12321497, PMC7708520, PMC7722407).