Research Information System
Turk Pediatri Arsivi, vol.45, no.4, pp.366-370, 2010 (SCI-Expanded)
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between plasma phthalate and pancreatic lipase and α-amylase levels in pubertal gynecomastia patients with high plasma levels of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolite mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) which are known endocrine disrupting chemicals and to evaluate the possible effects of phthtalates in pancreas. Material and Method: The study group was composed of 40 pubertal gynecomastia patients. Plasma phthalate levels (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP and mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, MEHP) were determined using HPLC. Plasma lipase and α-amylase levels were measured by using enzymatic colorimetric assay. Results: Plasma DEHP and MEHP levels in gynecomatia patients were higher than the control group significantly. Significant negative correlations existed between α-amylase and MEHP levels in gynecomastia (r=-0.388, p<0.05) and overall study groups (r=-0.353, p<0.05). Negative correlation between DEHP and α-amylase levels was found to be significant in overall study group (r=-0.323, p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that phthalate exposure might cause significant decreases in α-amylase secretion. The inverse correlation observed might be explained by the PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma)-activation of phthalates.