The metabolism of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and liver peroxisome proliferation in the hamster.

This study has investigated the in vivo metabolism of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), the initial metabolite of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in mammals, and the hepatic peroxisome proliferation induced by this compound following multiple oral administration to hamsters. Hamsters received [14C]-MEHP, by gavage, at doses of 50 and 500 mg/kg body wt on each of three consecutive days. Urine was collected every 24 hours and metabolite profiles were determined using capillary gas-chromatography. Multiple high doses of MEHP (500 mg/kg) induced a change in the relative proportions of metabolites produced. As previously reported for the rat, metabolites derived from sequential ω-following by β…