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Precise prevention of DEHP induced hepatic fibrosis: Early identifying high-risk populations, revealing key factors, and applying targeted intervention

delete2026-05-23
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PRE
AI
X
Xinru Du
W
Wang, Moyan
Z
Zhendong Wang
X
Xue, Ziyan
G
Gao, Yancheng
Y
Yue Ma
W
Wang, Ziyi
S
Sha Liu
M
Mengyue Ji
Y
Ye Yang
C
Chunxiao Zhou
Y
Yuan Li *
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.09.032delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) poses a serious threat to human health. Hepatic fibrosis is a decisive factor in the death of MAFLD patients. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) plays an indispensable role in MAFLD. However, there are still certain shortcomings in the systematic evaluation of its dose-response relationship, key toxic mechanisms, early identification of DEHP-induced hepatic fibrosis and the prevention of MAFLD in high-risk populations. Our present study successfully constructed an early identification model for high-risk individuals with DEHP-induced hepatic fibrosis via machine learning. We then conducted bioinformatics analysis and revealed a key molecule, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARa), and its downstream signalling network involved in low-dose DEHP-induced hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, we explored and analysed the protein structure of PPARa, cross-referenced these data with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) databases and innovatively discovered a small molecule, quercetin, in TCM that can target and inhibit the PPARa protein. Finally, we constructed an in vitro THLE2 cell model and an in vivo C57BL/6 J mouse model, and confirmed that targeted inhibition of PPARa by quercetin significantly blocked low-dose DEHP-dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism and hepatic fibrosis. Our present study provides a new theoretical and practical basis for further elucidating the key toxic mechanism and early identification of DEHP-induced hepatic fibrosis, as well as the precise prevention and amelioration of this pathology in high-risk populations.
Keywords:
Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate
Hepatic fibrosis
Early identification
Molecular mechanisms
Targeted intervention

Journal

Journal of Environmental Sciences cover
Journal of Environmental Sciences
IF:
6.3
Papers:
7.5K
Citations:
2.4W

Organization

N
nanjing medical university
Scholars:
6.9K
Papers: 1.8K
Citations: 2
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