Investigation of the associations between low-dose serum perfluorinated chemicals and liver enzymes in US adults
Journal
American Journal of Gastroenterology
Journal Volume
105
Journal Issue
6
Pages
1354-1363
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
Objectives: Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) have been largely used for years in a variety of products worldwide. However, the toxic effect of PFCs on exposure to the liver in the general population has not yet been determined.Methods: In this study, 2,216 adults (18 years of age or older) were recruited in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999-2000 and 2003-2004 to determine the relationship between serum level of PFCs and the levels of liver enzymes. The data were adjusted for all other confounding variants.Results: After performing mathematical analysis, we determined when serum log-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) increases in one unit, the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration (U/l) increases by 1.86 units (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-2.48; P0.005), and the serum log-γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) concentration (U/l) is 0.08 unit higher (95% CI, 0.05-0.11; P0.019). The association between PFOA and liver enzymes was more evident in obese subjects, as well as subjects with insulin resistance and/or metabolic syndromes. When dividing the serum PFOA into quartiles in the fully adjusted models in subjects with a body mass index ?30 kg/m 2, the ALT level trend across the serum PFOA quartiles was significant (P=0.003).Conclusions: On the basis of these data, we conclude that a higher serum concentration of PFOA may cause liver enzymes to increase abnormally in the general population, particularly in obese individuals. Further studies are warranted to clarify the casual relationship between PFCs and these liver enzymes. ? 2010 by the American College of Gastroenterology.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alanine aminotransferase; gamma glutamyltransferase; liver enzyme; perfluoro compound; adult; alanine aminotransferase blood level; article; blood level; body mass; confidence interval; confounding variable; female; gamma glutamyl transferase blood level; health survey; human; insulin resistance; major clinical study; male; metabolic syndrome X; obesity; priority journal; United States; Adolescent; Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Drug-Induced Liver Injury; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Fluorocarbons; gamma-Glutamyltransferase; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Liver; Male; Metabolic Syndrome X; Middle Aged; Obesity; Octanoic Acids; United States; Young Adult
Type
journal article