Effect of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (dioctyladipate, DOA) on lipid metabolism in the rat: I. Inhibition of cholesterolgenesis and modification of phospholipid synthesis.

DOA (di[2-ethylhexyl] adipate, dioctyladipate), a plasticizer used in the manufacture of polyvinyl-chloride plastic products, has been considered as a suitable substitute for di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in some applications. In the present studies, hepatic lipid metabolism was examined in liver mince preparations from rats fed 0.5% or 1.0% DOA in the diet for 2 weeks. By studying patterns of lipid synthesis from [14C] acetate, [14C] oleate, [14C] mevalonate, and [14C] octanoate, it was concluded that DOA feeding inhibits hepatic cholesterolgenesis and alters the pattern of phospholipids synthesized by the liver. DOA also exerted a cholesterol-lowering effect at the 1% level but did not affect plasma triglyceride levels. The results suggest that the biological effects of DOA in the rat are similar to those produced by DEHP.