Concentrations and association between exposure to mixed perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and glycometabolism among adolescents

Abstract

Background Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used for industrial and commercial purposes and have received increasing attention due to their adverse effects on health. Objective To examine the relationship of serum PFAS and glycometabolism among adolescents based on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods General linear regression models were applied to estimate the relationship between exposure to single PFAS and glycometabolism. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models and Bayesian kernel machine regressions (BKMR) were used to assess the associations between multiple PFASs mixture exposure and glycometabolism. Results A total of 757 adolescents were enrolled. Multivariable regression model showed that Me-PFOSA-AcOH exposure was negatively associated with fasting blood glucose. WQS index showed that there was marginal negative correlation between multiple PFASs joint exposure and the homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) (β = −0.26, p < .068), and PFHxS had the largest weight. BKMR models showed that PFASs mixture exposure were associated with decreased INS and HOMA-IR, and the exposure-response relationship had curvilinear shape. Conclusions The increase in serum PFASs were associated with a decrease in HOMA-IR among adolescents. Mixed exposure models could more accurately and effectively reveal true exposure. Key Messages The detection rates of different PFAS contents in adolescent serum remained diverse. Adolescent serum PFASs had negative curvilinear correlation with INS and HOMA-IR levels. PFHxS had the highest weight in the associations between multiple PFASs and adolescent glycometabolism.