Concentrations of phthtalates and their potential to transactivate nuclear receptors in marine mammals from the Norwegian Arctic

Phthalate diester concentrations were measured in blubber/adipose tissue of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) sampled from the Barents and Greenland seas. Additionally, plasma samples from polar bears were analysed for total concentrations of phthalate monoester metabolites including their free and glucuronated forms. In vitro reporter gene assays were used to assess transcriptional activity of fin whale nuclear receptors by selected phthalates. Membrane integrity and metabolic activity were monitored as a measure for the viability of the cells used for reportor gene assays.

本研究对采自巴伦支海与格陵兰海的蓝鲸（Balaenoptera musculus）、长须鲸（Balaenoptera physalus）、弓头鲸（Balaena mysticetus）及北极熊（Ursus maritimus）的鲸脂/脂肪组织中的邻苯二甲酸二酯浓度进行了检测。此外，本研究还对北极熊的血浆样本展开分析，测定了包含游离型与葡萄糖醛酸化型在内的全部邻苯二甲酸单酯代谢物总浓度。本研究借助体外报告基因实验，评估了选定邻苯二甲酸酯类对长须鲸核受体的转录活性。同时，本研究通过监测膜完整性与代谢活性，用以表征该报告基因实验所用细胞的活力水平。