California University scientists in Riverside explained the mechanism by which substances contained in plastic – for example, bisphenol A and phthalated plasticizers – increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is reported in the article published in the magazine Environmental Health Perspectives.
The results of experiments on mice showed that phthalate – the chemical used to increase the strength of the plastic – is dangerous in what leads to an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood plasma. This is due to the fact that one of the types of these chemicals, called dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP), is firmly associated with the x-pregent receptor (PXR). As a result, the expression of key proteins required for the absorption and transport of cholesterol are enhanced.
Scientists also found in the intestine in mice undergoing DCHP, a large number of circulating ceramides – lipid molecules associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans.
DCHP is a widely used phthalated plasticizer, which the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed as a substance for which the risk assessment has the greatest priority. At the moment, his influence on people remains little studied.