Potential role of vitamin C in mitigating perfluoroalkyl substances-induced immunotoxicity

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of persistent environmental pollutants that pose significant risks to the human immune system and increase the likelihood of various immune-related diseases. Vitamin C is a common antioxidant that is widely used in clinical practice to manage immune-related disorders. Vitamin C shows potential in counteracting PFAS-induced immunotoxicity via multiple mechanisms, however, the dose-response relationships and the need for human clinical trials is still largely unknown. This brief overview highlights that vitamin C may mitigate immune system damage caused by PFAS, enhance immune cell function, and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation and immunosuppression through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Currently, experimental and clinical evidence remains limited. Future research should further investigate the clinical potential of vitamin C in treating immune disorders associated with PFAS exposure, clarify the dose-response relationships and contribute to the development of strategies to protect public health and the environment. Vitamin C mitigates perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-induced immunotoxicity. Vitamin C can help prevent damage to immune organs such as the spleen and thymus and counteract PFAS-induced reductions in lymphocyte populations. The protective mechanism involves suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and signaling pathway alterations • PFAS poses the risks to human immune system and increase the developing of immune-related diseases. • Vitamin C shows potential in counteracting PFAS-induced immunotoxicity via multiple mechanisms. • Vitamin C mitigates immune damage caused by PFAS, enhances immune cell function, and reduces inflammation, immunosuppression. • The risk associated with nutritional supplement using vitamin C is low. • Sufficient intake of vitamin C by populations at risk of PFAS exposure is vital for enhancing immune health.