Structural characterization of potential endocrine disrupting activity of alternate plasticizers di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TPIB) with human sex hormone-binding globulin

Plasticizers are chemical compounds used to increase the softness and fluidity of polymer materials. Phthalate compounds constitute the most common class of compounds used as plasticizers. However, phthalate plasticizers, especially the predominant di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, have been shown to have adverse effects on environment and human health. Hence, efforts have been made to use safer and environmentally friendly alternate non-phthalate plasticizers in industrial applications. The present study involves structural binding studies on endocrine disrupting potential of three high volume alternate plasticizer compounds, i.e., di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TPIB) with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This study showed that DEHA, ATBC and TPIB bind in the ligand binding pocket of SHBG and the structural binding results suggested that the three alternate plasticizers may interfere in the steroid binding of SHBG and thus may cause dysfunction in sex steroid homeostasis.