Work

Toxicity assessment of phthalates and binary mixtures on differentiated three-dimensional pancreatic cell model

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Currently, the development of new in vitro models and the enhancement of existing ones are increasingly prioritized to significantly reduce laboratory animal use, in line with the 3R principles (replacement, reduction, and refinement) of animal welfare legislation. This study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of individual and binary mixtures of selected phthalates on differentiated pancreatic cell models-islet-like cell aggregates (ICA), developed from human pancreatic carcinoma (PANC-1) cells. In this study, PANC-1 cells are differentiated into ICA which was confirmed by microscopy imaging and the determining the levels of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and stem cell factor (cKIT) by ELISA assay. Expression levels of NGN3, ISL-1, INS, GCG, PDX and SST marker genes were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Differentiated cells are exposed to diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP). IC50 values were calculated as 870.215, 571.390, 589.219 and 388.471 µM, respectively, for DEP, DMP, DBP and DiBP. All binary mixtures displayed antagonism starting from IC10 values, except, DMP + DBP mixture displayed synergism at the IC90 level.

Source: Open Chemistry

DOI: 10.1515/chem-2025-0283

Authors: Mehtap Kara, Yagmur Kiraz, Seda Eren-Keskin, Cigdem Sevim, Ezgi Oztas

Institutions: Istanbul University, İzmir University of Economics, Kocaeli Üniversitesi, Kastamonu University

Language: English

Topic: Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,808