Metabolism of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate by subcellular fractions from rainbow trout liver.

Trout liver homogenates metabolized di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) to monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) without added NADPH and to MEHP and more polar metabolites with added NADPH. Both hydrolysis and oxidative metabolism of DEHP were inhibited by piperonyl butoxide. The 10,000g pellet, 100,000g pellet and 100,000g supernatant fraction from liver homogenates all catalyzed the hydrolysis of DEHP and all but the 100,000g supernatant fraction showed the shift to more polar metabolites with added NADPH; serum also catalyzed the hydrolysis of DEHP. Measurement of the microsomal marker, glucose 6-phosphatase, and the mitochondrial marker, succinic dehydrogenase, revealed that DEHP-hydrolytic activity was associated with microsomes and the 100,000g supernatant fraction, whereas DEHP oxidation was associated only with microsomes.