Phthalate Acid Esters (PAEs) and their metabolites, particularly Mono-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate (MEHP), are widespread environmental contaminants with significant health implications. This study explores the health risks associated with PAEs and MEHP, focusing on their toxicological profiles and mechanisms of action. DEHP, a common PAE, was found to exhibit prominent toxicity, affecting reproductive, metabolic, and neurological systems. DEHP exposure during critical developmental periods increases the risk of neurobehavioral disorders, with sex-specific effects persisting into adulthood. Molecular docking studies reveal DEHP's high binding affinity to estrogen receptors, suggesting its xenoestrogenic potential. Transcriptome analysis identifies the progesterone receptor (Pgr) as a key target in DEHP-induced male reproductive toxicity. Additionally, MEHP, the primary metabolite of DEHP, was shown to impede zebrafish embryo growth and neurodevelopment, inducing oxidative stress and brain cell apoptosis. RNA-Seq analysis revealed MEHP's impact on nervous system pathways and immune system responses. These findings underscore the need for regulatory actions to mitigate the health risks posed by DEHP and MEHP, highlighting their endocrine-disrupting and neurotoxic effects.

Dr. De-Sheng Pei, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor and doctoral supervisor at Chongqing Medical University. He is a recipient of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Hundred Talents Program (Class A), a Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation in Chongqing, an Outstanding Middle-aged and Young Expert in Chongqing, etc. He is renowned for his research on germ-free fish models and toxicological effects of environmental pollutants. Dr. Pei formerly served as the Director of the Center for Environment and Health at the Chongqing Institute of CAS and Deputy Director at the Three Gorges Ecological Environment Research Institute of CAS. Dr. Pei earned his Ph.D. in Genetics from the Institute of Hydrobiology, CAS, and has gained valuable international experience with four years of academic research at Northeastern University and Harvard University in the USA. Since his introduction as a high-level talent to the CAS in 2012, he has continued to excel, joining Chongqing Medical University through a high-level talent introduction program in 2021. Dr. Pei has published over 200 research papers in eminent journals and authored three English monographs. His main academic positions include the deputy director of the germ-free animal professional committee of the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Science.