Endocrine Abstracts

Adrenal gland is a less focused endocrine organ for the endocrine disrupting effect of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The effects of two extensively used phthalate esters viz. di-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP) on adrenal gland were observed in Wistar rats in the present study to check the susceptibility of adrenal gland against the exposure of these extensively used plasticizers which are well known EDCs. Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n=5) and received the treatment for fourteen days. Group I was control and received only corn oil which is used as vehicle. Group II, III and IV received daily dose of DEHP of 250 mg/kg-BW, 750 mg/kg-BW and 1500 mg/kg-BW respectively while group V, VI and VII received daily dose of DBP of 100 mg/kg-BW, 500 mg/kg-BW and 1000 mg/kg-BW respectively. The comparative microscopic study of histological slides of endocrine glands i.e. pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland and testes revealed the susceptibility of adrenal gland towards the DEHP and DBP. Molecular docking and protein-protein interaction (PPI) studies of DEHP and DBP have been employed using Maestro Schrodinger 9.4 software and STRING database showing the potential of DEHP and DBP to compare the molecular targets of above mentioned endocrine glands. Molecular docking and PPI studies advocates the sensitivity of adrenal gland as second most sensitive endocrine gland after testes by showing promising interaction with biochemical indices of adrenal gland. Therefore, further molecular studies are advised to divulge the molecular targets of EDCs and molecular mechanism underlying through them.

Keywords: DEHP, DBP, phthalate esters, molecular docking, protein-protein interaction