Background: The study was designed to investigate renal function profile upon exposure to graded oral doses of Di (2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the adult Wistar rats considering that DEHP leaches easily from plastic to foods, drinking water and the environmentMethods: Twenty (20) Wistar rats were administered DEHP in the doses of 0.02mg/kg, 20mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight in blocks A, B and C respectively through the intrapharyngeal route. Rats in block D, serving as control, were administered distill water. Both treatments and distilled water were administered at a convenient dose of 0.1ml over a 30 day duration. Serum obtained from each rat was analyzed for electrolytes (Na +, K+ , Cl- ), creatinine and ureaResults: Oral exposure of the rats to DEHP at the graded doses used in this study increased only the mean serum urea from 32.6 ± 2.63 mg/dl in control to 42.01 ± 3.05 mg/dl, 41.75 ± 1.93 mg/dl and 40.2 ± 2.82 mg/dl in rats treated with 0.02mg, 20mg and 200mg DEHP/body weight respectively. Other parameters of serum Na +, K+ , Cl- and creatinine remain unchanged. Conclusion: Exposure to oral DEHP induced an elevation of the blood urea nitrogen irrespective of dose without affecting serum creatinine and the electrolytesKeywords: Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP, Renal function, Plasticizer, Azotaemia
