Diethylhexyl phthalate impairs insulin binding and glucose oxidation in Chang liver cells

The present study examined the dose-dependent effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on insulin receptor concentration and glucose oxidation in Chang liver cells. Chang liver cells (5 × 105 cells) were exposed to different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 μM) of DEHP for 24 h. At the end of exposure, cells were utilized for assessing insulin receptor concentration and glucose oxidation. Both insulin receptor concentration and glucose oxidation in Chang liver cells were significantly reduced by high doses (200 and 400 μM) of phthalate exposure. The present study is first of its kind to report the direct adverse effects of DEHP on insulin receptor and glucose oxidation in Chang liver cells and suggests that DEHP exposure may have a negative influence on glucose homeostasis.