DECREASE IN THE CONCENTRATION OF VITAMIN-E IN BLOOD AND TISSUES CAUSED BY DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL) PHTHALATE, A COMMONLY USED PLASTICIZER IN BLOOD-STORAGE BAGS AND MEDICAL TUBING

Background and Objectives: Significant amounts of di(2-ethylhexyl) pht hlate (DEHP) leach into blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags. The aim of this study was to find out whether DEHP at these low levels ha s any effect on the concentration of vitamin E, an antioxidant which a ffords protection against free radical damage. Materials and Methods: DEHP was administered in low doses (150-750 mu g/100 g body weight) to rats intraperitoneally and the concentration of vitamin E in the live r and testes was measured. Concentration of vitamin E was also measure d in blood stored in glass bottles in the presence and absence of DEHP and in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC bags. Results: A decrease in the concentration of vitamin E was observed in all cases. Administ ration of vitamin E to rats and incorporation of vitamin E in the addi tive solution in the case of blood prevented this decrease. Conclusion : DEHP even at very low doses caused a decrease in the concentration o f vitamin E in liver and tests of rats given this substance. Blood sto red in DEHP-plasticized bags also showed a decrease in the concentrati on of vitamin E.