At the Belgrade Conference for Early-Career Life Scientists (BeCELS2026) on 10 September 2026, PhD Student, Vasilije Živaljević from Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” presented ongoing EDC-MASLD research on how maternal exposure to DINCH may influence liver and metabolic health in offspring.
Vasilije presented the poster “Maternal Exposure to Diisononyl Cyclohexane-1,2-Dicarboxylate as a Risk Factor for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Mouse Offspring.” The poster was authored by Vasilije Živaljević, Milivoje Konstantinović, Sanja Kovačević, Ana Djordjevic, Danijela Vojnović Milutinović, Goran Đmura and Nataša Veličković.
The presentation placed particular emphasis on mechanism of action of DINCH on liver metabolism. One focus is the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which has important role in regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis in liver. The team is investigating whether DINCH, or substances produced when DINCH is broken down in the body, could interfere with endocrine system.
Preliminary findings suggest that OH-MINCH, a substance formed when DINCH is broken down in the body, may be able to bind to this receptor. They do not show that DINCH causes MASLD, but they point to a possible biological pathway for further investigation.
Overall, the research aims to improve our understanding of whether exposure to DINCH during early development could have longer-term consequences for liver and metabolic health.
Presenting this work at BeCELS2026 provided an opportunity to share IBISS research supported by EDC-MASLD with the early-career life sciences community and support scientific exchange on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and metabolic health. Download the full poster here.
