New Research on Toxic Chemicals and Liver Function

A recent study has discovered that harmful “eternal chemicals” can fundamentally alter liver function in humans, leading to both fat accumulation and potential cancer-related damage.

These substances, often referred to as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), impact signaling and immune functions in liver cells but do so through a distinct mechanism, as detailed in Environmental International.

Interestingly, the effects varied by gender, impacting male and female liver cells differently.

“These chemicals change our bodies,” stated Anna Maretti Mira, an assistant professor of research medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.

Known for their persistence in both human physiology and the environment, PFAs are found in certain firefighting foams and numerous household products.

Associated with various cancers and severe illnesses, including liver disease, the precise mechanisms of liver damage from PFAs remain unclear.

In an effort to unravel this mystery, Maretti Mira and her team exposed human liver cells to four specific PFAs in a lab setting, monitoring changes in gene expression and fat accumulation.

They utilized liver “spheroids,” tiny models created from cells of ten human donors—five males and five females—and subjected these to four types of PFAs: PFOA, PFHXS, PFOS, and PFNA, which are commonly found at elevated levels in human blood.

After a week, the researchers broke down the spheroids into individual cells, analyzing gene expression and fat levels. All four PFAs disrupted normal processes, although the effects varied.

The findings indicated that PFOA and PFHXS specifically led to fat accumulation.

“These are different cellular processes producing similar results,” remarked Maretti Mira.

While the implications may not seem encouraging, she emphasized the importance of understanding these mechanisms.

On the other hand, PFOS and PFNA induced cancer-related changes, with PFNA having more pronounced effects. Research showed a significant increase in cellular pathways linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA repair.

Among cells exposed to PFNA, 61.3% demonstrated genetic alterations associated with cancer.

Regarding gender differences, researchers noticed that PFOA had a more substantial impact on female liver cells, whereas PFOS affected male cells more strongly.

This added insight could inform various treatment approaches.

According to the researchers, several FDA-approved medications designed to regulate liver fat processing could be tested to treat PFAS-related liver damage.

At the same time, scientists emphasized the importance of proactive measures to reduce PFA exposure—simple actions like drinking filtered water and avoiding non-stick cookware can make a difference.

“These chemicals are capable of altering our bodies, and we shouldn’t just wait for government intervention,” Maretti Mira cautioned. “Be mindful of exposure and seek to limit it.”