PFAS are chemicals that can cause cancer, diabetes and other diseases. Research from örebro University now suggests that these chemicals affect humans as early as the stage of fetal development.
We see that PFAS likely has a large metabolic impact, which suggests an increased risk of certain diseases later in life.”
Matej Orešič, professor of medical sciences
Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of synthetically produced chemicals used in a wide range of everyday products worldwide. They are often called “forever chemicals” since these substances take a long time to break down naturally and can remain in the bodies of humans and animals for many years.
There is strong evidence that PFAS can affect both the immune system and metabolism, and exposure to certain levels of PFAS is associated with cancer, diabetes and a variety of other diseases. These chemicals have been used since the 1950s in a wide variety of products, including non-stick pans, ski boots, water-repellent clothing and food packaging. They are also common in makeup and skin creams.
Researchers at the University of Örebro, Professor Paul A. Fowler of the University of Aberdeen and other researchers have published a unique study involving 78 embryos in the prestigious journal The Lancet Planetary Health. It is the first study of its kind in which researchers conducted extensive metabolic profiling and measured PFAS in human fetuses.
“We found PFAS in fetal livers and unfortunately, the results provide strong evidence that exposure to these chemicals permanently in the womb affects the unborn child,” says Professor Paul Fowler. “Those exposed to higher levels of PFAS have altered metabolism and liver function long before birth.”
The researchers think it is likely that at least some of these effects will be persistent and likely increase the risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood.
“We were surprised by the strong association of these chemicals with changes in fetal metabolism. They are similar to some metabolic changes that occur in adults. Specifically, we found that PFAS exposure is associated with altered bile acid and lipid metabolism in fetuses,” says Tuulia . Hyötyläinen, professor of chemistry at Örebro University.
The liver plays an important role in human well-being.
“Changes in central metabolism can profoundly affect the whole body. In particular, changes during fetal development can have long-term consequences for future health,” says Matej Orešič.
The potential effect of PFAS is similar to the changes that occur as a result of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and fatty liver. The 78 fetuses analyzed by the researchers were voluntarily aborted between 12 and 19 weeks and were considered essentially healthy.
Several types of PFAS are banned in the EU, where regulations are stricter than in, for example, China. Diseases such as childhood obesity and diabetes have skyrocketed in China in recent years. Researchers believe that PFAS and other environmental chemicals may be one of the causes of this increase.
“A connection is very likely. And it may turn out that exposure to harmful chemicals has a comparable or even greater impact than lifestyle when it comes to certain diseases,” says Matej Orešič.
He and his colleagues at örebro University hope their research will contribute to greater awareness and stricter regulation of PFAS.
The article “In utero exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances and the human fetal liver metabolome in Scotland: a cross-sectional study” was published in The Lancet Planetary Health on January 8, 2024. The study was led by Tuuila Hyötyläinen, professor of chemistry and Matej Orešič, professor of medicine, both from the University of örebro, and Paul A. Fowler, professor and researcher at the University of Aberdeen.
Source:
Journal Reference:
Hyötyläinen, T., et al. (2024) In utero exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances and human fetal liver metabolism in Scotland: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet Planetary Health. doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00257-7.
