Through research, PFAS chains PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), and PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulphonic acid) have been linked to chemical-driven liver damage and fat buildup, also known as fatty liver disease. PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS have also been found to transfer across the placenta in pregnancy and pass to the newborn during breastfeeding, resulting in distribution to the fetal liver.

To understand the alteration of liver proteins and biochemical signaling pathways in offspring, STEEP researchers used pregnant mice, fed a standard or high-fat diet, and from the start of gestation until 20 days post birth, administered doses of PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, as compounds individually or as part of a mixture.

Livers were collected from offspring and identification and quantitative analyses of proteins was performed. Analysis revealed that PFAS exposure modified disease and biological function pathways and lipid regulation in the liver. These pathways included lipid and fatty acid transport, storage, oxidation, and synthesis, as well as foreign chemical metabolism and transport, as well as liver damage and inflammation.

Researchers also found that the PFAS mixture seemed to impact the offspring most significantly, and PFOA seemed to drive effects of PFOS and PFHxS. Findings show that PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS in pregnant mice resulted in measurable alteration of liver proteins and in general, predisposes offspring to metabolic dysfunction.

Kaye E, Marques E, Agudelo Areiza J, Modaresi SMS, Slitt A. Exposure to a PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS Mixture during Gestation and Lactation Alters the Liver Proteome in Offspring of CD-1 Mice. Toxics. 2024; 12(5):348. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050348