Plasticizer Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate and Its Metabolite Mono(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate Inhibit Myogenesis in Differentiating Mouse and Human Skeletal Muscle Cell Models

The relationship between plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and low birth weight in neonates has been reported. Immature muscle differentiation may be involved weight. myotoxic characteristics of chemicals have observed differentiating immortalized primary cells. Here, we explored the effects DEHP its metabolite mono(2-ethylhexyl) (MEHP) vitro using mouse skeletal myoblasts C2C12 human progenitor cell (HSMPC) models. We found that both MEHP at concentrations 10–100 μM, which were non- low-cytotoxicity concentrations, significantly dose-dependently inhibited creatine kinase activity, myotube formation with multiple nuclei, myogenin myosin heavy chain (muscle markers) protein expression HSMPCs under medium. Both decreased Akt phosphorylation during differentiation. Taken together, are capable inhibiting Akt-regulated myogenesis myoblasts/myogenic progenitors These findings suggest possibility as an environmental risk factor affecting myogenic Moreover, these models a possible alternative method to animal myotoxicity testing.