PFAS Exposures and the Human Metabolome: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sandra India-Aldana, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Meizhen Yao, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Vishal Midya, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Elena Colicino, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Leda Chatzi, University of Southern California; Jaime Chu, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Chris Gennings, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Dean P Jones, Emory University; Ruth J.F. Loos, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Veronica W. Setiawan, University of Southern California; Mathew Ryan Smith, Emory University; Ryan W. Walker, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Dinesh Barupal, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Douglas I. Walker, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Damaskini Valvi, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-06-29
• Publisher: Springer Nature
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs40726-023-00269-4
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Current Pollution Reports
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 510
• End Page: 568
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by grants R21ES029328, R01ES033688, and P30ES023515 (PI: Damaskini Valvi) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS).
• Keywords: PFAS; Human metabolome; Endocrine-disrupting chemicals; Systematic review; Metabolomics
• Research Categories: Biology, General; Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Purpose of Review There is a growing interest in understanding the health effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through the study of the human metabolome. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify consistent findings between PFAS and metabolomic signatures. We conducted a search matching specific keywords that was independently reviewed by two authors on two databases (EMBASE and PubMed) from their inception through July 19, 2022 following PRISMA guidelines. Recent Findings We identified a total of 28 eligible observational studies that evaluated the associations between 31 different PFAS exposures and metabolomics in humans. The most common exposure evaluated was legacy long-chain PFAS. Population sample sizes ranged from 40 to 1,105 participants at different stages across the lifespan. A total of 19 studies used a non-targeted metabolomics approach, 7 used targeted approaches, and 2 included both. The majority of studies were cross-sectional (n = 25), including four with prospective analyses of PFAS measured prior to metabolomics. Summary Most frequently reported associations across studies were observed between PFAS and amino acids, fatty acids, glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, phosphosphingolipids, bile acids, ceramides, purines, and acylcarnitines. Corresponding metabolic pathways were also altered, including lipid, amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleotide, energy metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. We found consistent evidence across studies indicating PFAS-induced alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolites, which may be involved in energy and cell membrane disruption.