Effects of phthalates on marine organisms: cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP) on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) embryonic cell line.

Abstract

Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) represents a toxicological risk for marine organisms due to its widespread presence in aquatic environments. MEHP effects on cell viability, cell death and genotoxicity were investigated on the DLEC cell line, derived from early embryos of the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L. A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, with no induction of necrotic process, except at its highest concentration, was observed. Moreover, chromosomal instability was detected, both in binucleated and mononucleated cells, coupled with a minor inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas genomic instability was not revealed. To our knowledge, the overall results suggest the first evidence of a possible aneugenic effect of this compound in the DLEC cell line, that is the induction of chromosomal loss events without the induction of primary DNA damage. MEHP should be considered more harmful than its parent compound DEHP, because it induces genomic instability in the DLEC cell line without triggering cell death.