Metabolic and molecular Characterization, following dietary exposure to DINCH, Reveals new Implications for its role as a Metabolism-Disrupting chemical.
    
    
        
    
    
        
        Environ. Int. 196:109306 (2025)
    
    
    
		
		
			
				Plastic materials are ubiquitous, leading to constant human exposure to plastic additives such as plasticizers. There is growing evidence that plasticizers may contribute to obesity due to their disruptive effects on metabolism. Alternatives like diisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH) are replacing traditional phthalates such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which are now banned due to their proven harmful health effects. While DINCH is considered a safer alternative to DEHP and no adipogenic effects have been demonstrated in in vivo studies, recent research suggests that the primary metabolite, monoisononylcyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid ester (MINCH), promotes adipocyte differentiation and dysfunction in vitro. However, metabolic and molecular effects are not fully understood in vivo. Here, we performed a comprehensive in vivo analysis using C57BL/6N mice to investigate the effects of DINCH on adipose tissue physiology and function. Mice were exposed to two doses of DINCH for 16 weeks, followed by a 10-week recovery period. Tissue analysis confirmed the presence of DINCH and MINCH in liver and adipose tissue after treatment and recovery. After the recovery period, elevated DINCH concentrations in adipose tissue depots indicated possible bioaccumulation. Although no changes were observed in body composition and energy expenditure, sex-specific metabolic effects were identified. Female mice exhibited impaired whole-body insulin sensitivity and higher triglyceride levels, while male mice showed an altered insulin/C-peptide ratio and elevated cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels. Proteomic profiling of serum, adipose and liver tissues revealed changes in pathways related to central energy metabolism and immune response, highlighting the systemic impact of DINCH, potentially on inflammatory processes. Most effects of DINCH, such as changes in insulin response and serum lipid levels, were diminished after the recovery period. Despite many findings consistent with the existing literature suggesting DINCH as a safer DEHP substitute, the observed sex-specific effects on insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and inflammatory processes, as well as potential bioaccumulation and long-term metabolic effects of DINCH exposure warrant careful consideration in further risk assessment.
			
			
				
			
		 
		
			
				
					
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        Publikationstyp
        Artikel: Journalartikel
    
 
    
        Dokumenttyp
        Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
    
 
    
        Typ der Hochschulschrift
        
    
 
    
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        Schlagwörter
        Adipose Tissue ; Dinch ; Minch ; Metabolic Disruption ; Obesity; Growth-factor-beta; Ppar-gamma; Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate; C/ebp-alpha; C-peptide; Adipogenesis; Plasticizer; Biomarkers; Health; Lipids
    
 
    
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        Sprache
        englisch
    
 
    
        Veröffentlichungsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
        Prepublished im Jahr 
        0
    
 
    
        HGF-Berichtsjahr
        2025
    
 
    
    
        ISSN (print) / ISBN
        0160-4120
    
 
    
        e-ISSN
        1873-6750
    
 
    
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	    Band: 196,  
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	    Artikelnummer: 109306 
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            Verlag
            Elsevier
        
 
        
            Verlagsort
            The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford Ox5 1gb, England
        
 
	
        
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        Begutachtungsstatus
        Peer reviewed
    
 
    
        Institut(e)
        Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
    
 
    
        POF Topic(s)
        30201 - Metabolic Health
    
 
    
        Forschungsfeld(er)
        Helmholtz Diabetes Center
    
 
    
        PSP-Element(e)
        G-506501-001
G-506500-001
    
 
    
        Förderungen
        UFZ for the ProMetheus platform for proteomics and metabolomics
European Union
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research foundation)
    
 
    
        Copyright
        
    
 	
    
    
    
    
    
        Erfassungsdatum
        2025-03-26