Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exacerbates non-alcoholic fatty liver in rats and its potential mechanisms.

•Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exacerbates non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) in rats.•Expression of SREBP-1c and PPARα was altered.•DEHP treatment can induce inflammation and oxidative stress in pathologies of NAFLD.•The dosage of DEHP is closed to daily exposure by human.