Effects of DEHP exposure on heart development of zebrafish embryos

Krishna Baral; SHI Hongbeichen; ZHANG Yang; CHEN Cheng; MENG Yang; ZHAO Mingyi

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Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science) ›› 2025, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (1) : 16-22.

Basic Medicine

Effects of DEHP exposure on heart development of zebrafish embryos

Krishna Baral, SHI Hongbeichen, ZHANG Yang, CHEN Cheng, MENG Yang, ZHAO Mingyi

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Abstract

Objective Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer, which is known to have adverse effects on human health. Although its impact on cardiovascular health has been extensively studied, the specific effects on early embryonic heart development remain unclear. This study innovatively observed the abnormal heart development of zebrafish larvae induced by DEHP, and discussed how DEHP affected the development of zebrafish embryonic heart by activating oxidative stress pathway. Methods Utilizing zebrafish embryos at 5 hours post fertilization (hpf), we established control and DEHP-treated groups. We recorded and analyzed survival rate, hatching rate, heart rate, and malformation rate. Heart development was monitored using a cardiac-specific transgenic zebrafish line (cmcl2: EGFP), and oxidative stress was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) with a fluorescent probe 2, 7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Apoptosis in heart cells was detected via acridine orange staining. Results Compared with the control group, the survival rate and hatching rate of zebrafish embryos in the DEHP exposure group decreased (P>0.05), but there was no statistical significance. Heart rate increased significantly (P<0.0001); the distance between sinus venosus (SV) and bulbus arteriosus (BA) increased (P<0.05), and the area of pericardium increased (P<0.0001). The expression level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased (P<0.01), and the results were statistically significant. Conclusion The heart rate of zebrafish larvae exposed to DEHP increased, the heart structure was abnormal, and the expression level of cardiac ROS decreased. DEHP may induce abnormal heart development in zebrafish by activating the ROS oxidative stress system.

Key words

di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate / zebrafish / heart development / oxidative stress / apoptosis

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Krishna Baral, SHI Hongbeichen, ZHANG Yang, CHEN Cheng, MENG Yang, ZHAO Mingyi. Effects of DEHP exposure on heart development of zebrafish embryos[J]. Journal of Hunan Normal University(Medical Science). 2025, 22(1): 16-22

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