Possible Effects of Shorter-Chained Poly-and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Exposure on Metabolic Processes

The extensive use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have sparked significant public health concerns due to their increased persistence in the environment and negative impacts on human health. Developing evidence has suggested perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a well known PFAS, to contribute to the formation of metabolic syndrome. The replacement of PFOA with shorter-chained perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), such as perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), has been rising. However, their impact on adipogenesis and the development of metabolic syndrome is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PFOA, PFHpA and PFHxA on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. All three chemicals induced adipogenesis at higher concentrations. Results demonstrated increased adipogenic marker expression and increased lipid accumulation within cells, upon PFCA treatment. We then looked at the activation of PPARγ and PPARα upon PFCA treatments. Results showed that PFOA activated both PPARγ and PPARα, while PFHpA and PFHxA only activated PPARα, suggesting that the mechanism which PFHpA and PFHxA induce adipogenesis is PPARα-mediated. Further research is required to confirm the mechanism which PFOA induces adipogenesis.