Phthalate metabolites are associated with insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 cells in vitro

Aim: The metabolites of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, might influence glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity of adipose tissue. We therefore investigated the effects of DEHP treatment on insulin stimulated glucose uptake, palmitate uptake into 3T3L1 adipocytes as well as on mRNA expression of key adipocyte genes in vitro. Method: Mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, MD) were cultured with 0.01% DEHP for two days and differentiated into mature adipocytes. In fully differentiated 3T3L1 adipocytes, basal and insulin-stimulated gl…