Work

Phthalates exposure and gastrointestinal health: a comprehensive review of toxic mechanisms and emerging mitigation strategies

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Phthalates are widely used plasticizers that can leach into food products, making dietary exposure a significant food safety concern. Increasing evidence indicates that phthalates adversely affect gastrointestinal health and contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that phthalates disrupt gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity, compromising microbial barrier function integrity and facilitating pathogen translocation. They also impair intestinal barrier function by reducing mucus secretion, altering tight junction proteins, and increasing epithelial permeability. Furthermore, phthalates promote intestinal inflammation by enhancing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suppressing anti-inflammatory responses, and disrupting immune cell homeostasis. Emerging findings reveal detrimental effects on enteroendocrine and enteric glial cells, resulting in altered hormone secretion, impaired gut-brain signaling, and disrupted intestinal motility. This review summarizes current evidence on molecular mechanisms underlying phthalate-induced gastrointestinal toxicity and highlights potential mitigation strategies, including polyphenols, flavonoids, probiotics, prebiotics, and pharmacological interventions.

Source: Current Research in Toxicology

DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2026.100322

Authors: Choirul Anwar, Pitchurajan Krishna Perumal, Ping-Chi Hsu, Ching-Shu Lai

Institution: National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology

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: $2,440