Changes in markers of liver function in relation to changes in perfluoroalkyl substances - A longitudinal study

Environmental perfluoroalkyl acid exposures are associated with liver disease characterized by apoptosis and altered serum adipocytokines

“…Unlike these PFAAs, other hepatotoxic chemicals have often been associated with liver necrosis and increased inflammation (Cave et al, 2011;Clair et al, 2018). The CK18 data extend the previously published associations between PFAS exposures and liver enzymes in the C8 Health Study and other cohorts (Darrow et al, 2016;Gallo et al, 2012;Gleason et al, 2015;Lin et al, 2010;Salihovic et al, 2018;Yamaguchi et al, 2013) by demonstrating apoptosis as a hepatocyte cell death mechanism. This is the major finding of the current study, and it is consistent with results from an animal exposure model (Kim et al, 2011).…”

“…PFAS are hepatotoxic, immunotoxic, and endocrine and metabolism disrupting chemicals (DeWitt et al, 2012;Heindel et al, 2017). Environmental cohort studies from North America, Europe, and Asia have consistently reported positive associations between PFAS exposures and liver enzymes (Darrow et al, 2016;Gallo et al, 2012;Gleason et al, 2015;Lin et al, 2010;Salihovic et al, 2018;Yamaguchi et al, 2013). The largest liver enzyme study (n=47,092) found positive associations between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and exposures to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, or C8) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (Gallo et al, 2012).…”

PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

“…However there are no doubts of toxic effects on liver experienced by the workers under study: The surveillance of the RM factory workers showed a positive association for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) hepatic enzymes and an inverse association with bilirubin [177]. A longitudinal study [178] on a cohort of 1002 individuals from Sweden (50% women) at ages 70, 75, and 80 in 2001-2014, confirmed these observations, showing that exposure and biological persistence to PFAS caused liver dysfunction and toxicity, measured in terms of changes in ALT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Furthermore, PFAS with long perfluoroalkyl chains are associated with increased GGT and decreased bilirubin levels, an important antioxidant and cytoprotectant, decreased levels of which have been associated with adverse health effects, including liver dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome.…”

PFAS Environmental Pollution and Antioxidant Responses: An Overview of the Impact on Human Field

“…Induced tumors have been ascribed to non-genotoxic mechanisms, such as an indirect genotoxic hazard, such as the ability of PFOA to induce oxidative stress, even if recently denied in an assessment on mice [176], however there are no doubts of toxic effects on liver at the PFOA level experienced by the workers under study: the surveillance of the RM factory workers showed a positive association for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) hepatic enzymes and an inverse association with bilirubin [177]. A longitudinal study [178] on a cohort of 1002 individuals from Sweden (50% women) at ages 70, 75 and 80 in 2001-2014, confirmed these observations, showing that exposure and biological persistence to PFAS caused liver dysfunction and toxicity, measured in terms of changes in ALT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Furthermore, PFAS with long perfluoroalkyl chains are associated with increased GGT and decreased bilirubin levels, an important antioxidant and cytoprotectant, decreased levels of which have been associated with adverse health effects, including liver dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome.…”