# Metabolite Monomethyl Phthalate (MMP) Induces Oxidative Damage in Rat Erythrocytes: Role of Vitamins C and E

## TL;DR

This study shows that the phthalate metabolite MMP causes oxidative damage in rat red blood cells, which can be mitigated by vitamins C and E.

## Contribution

The study reveals a new insight into the erythrocyte toxicity of MMP and the protective role of antioxidants in a rat model.

## Key findings

- MMP exposure leads to oxidative damage in rat erythrocytes, reducing red blood cell count and hemoglobin content.
- Vitamins C and E help restore blood indicators affected by MMP exposure.
- MMP does not directly cause damage when interacting with hemoglobin alone.

## Abstract

Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) can enter the human body and be absorbed into the bloodstream to produce monomethyl phthalate (MMP). MMP in the environment can also enter the bloodstream. However, little is known about the toxicity of the phthalate metabolite MMP in most organisms. In this study, the erythrocyte toxicity of MMP and a preventive approach were investigated using Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats as the model animal under MMP concentrations of 5–250 mg/kg (sub-chronic exposure in vivo) and 1.25–100 μg/mL (acute exposure in vitro). The experimental results indicate that the interaction of MMP with erythrocytes caused oxidative damage, which decreased the number of red blood cells and the hemoglobin content and increased the content of methemoglobin and the iron release of hemoglobin in rat blood. However, the above results were not observed when MMP directly interacted with hemoglobin. The antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E improved the above blood indicators in rats. The results of this study provide certain theoretical guidance for the evaluation of the potential risks of phthalate metabolites.