Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) induces apoptosis and autophagy of mouse GC-1 spg cells

As a widely used plasticizer in industry, di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) can cause testicular toxicity, yet little is known about the potential mechanism. In this study, DEHP exposure dramatically inhibited cellviability and induced Apoptosis of mouse GC-1 spg cells. Furthermore, DEHP significantly increased the levels of Autophagy proteins LC3-II, Beclin1 and Atg5, as well as the ratio ofLC3-II/LC3-I. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further confirmed that DEHP induced Autophagy of mouse GC-1 spg cells. DEHP was also shown to induceoxidative stress; while inhibition of oxidative stress with NAC could increase cell viability and inhibit DEHP-induced Apoptosis and Autophagy. These results suggested that DEHP induced Apoptosis and Autophagy of mouse GC-1 spg cells via oxidative stress. 3-MA, an inhibitor of Autophagy, could rescue DEHP-induced Apoptosis. In summary, DEHP induced Apoptosis and Autophagy of mouse GC-1 spg cells via oxidative stress, and Autophagy might exert a cytotoxic effect on DEHP-induced Apoptosis.