Effects of phthalates on marine organisms: cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP) on European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) embryonic cell line.

Introduction: Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) represents a toxicological risk for marine organisms due to its widespread presence in aquatic environments.

Methods: MEHP effects on cell viability, cell death and genotoxicity were investigated on the DLEC cell line, derived from early embryos of the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax L.

Results: A dose-dependent cytotoxic effect, with no induction of necrotic process, except at its highest concentration, was observed. Moreover, chromosomal instability was detected, both in binucleated and mononucleated cells, coupled with a minor inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas genomic instability was not revealed. To our knowledge, the overall results suggest the first evidence of a possible aneugenic effect of this compound in the DLEC cell line, that is the induction of chromosomal loss events without the induction of primary DNA damage.

Conclusions: MEHP should be considered more harmful than its parent compound DEHP, because it induces genomic instability in the DLEC cell line without triggering cell death.