Neuroendocrine effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate in rats.

Abstract

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a degradation product of sulfonyl-based fluorochemicals that are used extensively in industrial and household applications. Humans and wildlife are exposed to this class of compounds from several sources. Toxicity tests in rodents have raised concerns about potential developmental, reproductive, and systemic effects of PFOS. However, the effect of PFOS on the neuroendocrine system has not been investigated thus far. In this study, adult female rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0, 1, or 10 mg PFOS/kg body weight (BW) for 2 weeks. Food and water intake, BW, and estrous cycles were monitored daily. At the end of treatment, PFOS levels in tissues were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) interfaced with electrospray mass spectrometry. Changes in brain monoamines were measured by HPLC with electrochemical detection, and serum corticosterone and leptin were monitored using radioimmunoassay. Treatment with PFOS produced a dose-dependent accumulation of this chemical in various body tissues, including the brain. PFOS exposure decreased food intake and BW in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with PFOS affected estrous cyclicity and increased serum corticosterone levels while decreasing serum leptin concentrations. PFOS treatment also increased norepinephrine concentrations in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. These results indicate that exposure to PFOS can affect the neuroendocrine system in rats.

Historical Trends in Human Serum Levels of Perfluorooctanoate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Shenyang, China

“…The mechanisms of their toxicities, other than in fatty acid metabolism, are not fully understood. PFOS might have an effect on the neuroendocrine system in rodents (Austin et al 2003;Asakawa et al 2007). PFOS and PFOA have electrophysiological effects on action potentials and currents (Harada et al 2005bMatsubara et al 2006).…”

Mechanistic studies of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid uptake by maize (Zea mays L. cv. TY2)

“…So far, PFCs have been detected in all environmental and biological matrices, including air, surface and ground water, sediments, arctic ice, soils, birds, polar bears, marine organisms, and even in nonoccupationally exposed individuals (Houde et al 2011). Some PFCs are reported to have adverse effects on plants, animals and humans (Qu et al 2010;Austin et al 2003;Stevenson et al 2006). For example, Qu et al (2010) reported that 10 mgL −1 PFOS treatment could inhibit the elongation and biomass of wheat seedling roots and leaves, and slow the chlorophyll accumulation and soluble protein synthesis.…”

Spatial distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds in coastal waters from the East to South China Sea

“…PFCs are used in numerous products, such as textile protectors, coatings, plastics, fire fighting foams, photolithography, electronic chemicals, shampoos, stain repellents for furniture, carpets and pesticides, or as fluoropolymer additives (Kissa, 2001;Guo et al, 2008;Yu et al, 2009). During the production and usage of these products, PFCs can be released into the environment, where they can bioaccumulate Houde et al, 2006) and have potentially adverse effects on humans and wildlife (Austin et al, 2003;Martin et al, 2003;Shi et al, 2008).…”