Di-n-butyl phthalate exposure negatively influences structural and functional neuroplasticity via Rho-GTPase signaling pathways.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) has been reported to cause disruptions in hippocampal plasticity, but its specific mechanism has not yet been ascertained. In this research, a mouse model of chronic DBP exposure was generated by intragastric administration of DBP (10, 50, or 250°mg/kg/d) for 5 weeks. Chronic exposure to high concentrations of DBP (250°mg/kg/d) induced a spatial learning deficit in the Morris water maze in male mice.