Abstract
Due to their unique properties, perfluorinated substances (PFAS) are widely used in multiple industrial and commercial applications, but they are toxic for animals, humans included. This review presents some available data on the PFAS environmental distribution in the world, and in particular in Europe and in the Veneto region of Italy, where it has become a serious problem for human health. The consumption of contaminated food and drinking water is considered one of the major source of exposure for humans. Worldwide epidemiological studies report the negative effects that PFAS have on human health, due to environmental pollution, including infertility, steroid hormone perturbation, thyroid, liver and kidney disorders, and metabolic disfunctions. In vitro and in vivo researches correlated PFAS exposure to oxidative stress effects (in mammals as well as in other vertebrates of human interest), produced by a PFAS-induced increase of reactive oxygen species formation. The cellular antioxidant defense system is activated by PFAS, but it is only partially able to avoid the oxidative damage to biomolecules.
Highlights
Oxygen (O2 ) is an essential molecule for the life of many organisms present on Earth as it participates in all the oxidation reactions that characterize aerobic cell metabolism, being the final acceptor in the electron transport chain that leads to the formation of ATP at the mitochondrial level.During these processes, O2 is reduced to water, but some electrons can react directly with the molecule, forming intermediates called reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1].It has been calculated that about 3% of the O2 used by the cell is improperly converted intoROS [2] but this rate of formation can increase in numerous physiological and pathological conditions such as physical activity, aging, cardiovascular disease, and cancer
normal granulosa cells (N–GCs) and cell apoptosis was correlated with ROS production which could be enhanced by the presence of pollutants such as perfluorinated substances (PFAS)
The kidney is another target of PFAS as it is involved in its excretion and it has been hypothesized that PFAS may damage kidneys via reabsorption of PFAS across the renal tubules
Summary
Oxygen (O2 ) is an essential molecule for the life of many organisms present on Earth as it participates in all the oxidation reactions that characterize aerobic cell metabolism, being the final acceptor in the electron transport chain that leads to the formation of ATP at the mitochondrial level. Enzymatic antioxidants include proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) [11,12], catalase (CAT) [13], glutathione peroxidase (GPx) [14], peroxiredoxins (Prdx) [15,16], and methionine sulfoxide reductases (Msr) [17] These enzymes represent a first line against ROS, but do not guarantee complete coverage from the risk of oxidative stress because some compounds, generated by their reactions, are still reactive and potentially cytotoxic, such as the hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) produced by SOD. This review summarizes the available data on the presence of PFAS in the environment and the effects they have on human health, with particular reference to the condition of oxidative stress. We have included the results of epidemiological studies, and those of in vitro and in vivo research correlating PFAS exposure and oxidative stress effects (in mammals as well as in other vertebrates of human interest)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
