PFOS-Induced Black Liver And Hepatic Aging In Mice: A New Paradigm In Environmental Hepatotoxicology
Our environment contains many substances, some of which can have unexpected effects on our health. One such substance is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS, a persistent chemical found in various industrial and consumer products. While its risks under long-term exposure have been unclear, recent research sheds light on its impact on the liver.
A new study in mice has uncovered a previously unknown effect of chronic PFOS exposure: the development of a unique “black liver” condition. This isn’t just a change in color; it’s accompanied by the shrinking of liver tissue and signs of accelerated aging. The discoloration appears to be linked to blood congestion in the liver.
Further investigation revealed that PFOS disrupts the tiny tubes in the liver that transport bile, a digestive fluid, leading to a condition similar to Dubin-Johnson Syndrome, which is also characterized by a darkened liver. More importantly, chronic PFOS exposure triggers several hallmarks of aging within the liver cells. This includes an increase in harmful molecules that cause damage (oxidative stress), instability in the genetic material, and a state where cells stop dividing but remain active, potentially contributing to aging (cellular senescence). The study also found that PFOS interferes with the body’s natural cellular cleanup process, called autophagy, which is crucial for removing damaged cell components and maintaining cell health.
These findings are significant because they suggest that long-term exposure to PFOS can silently drive irreversible liver aging, at least partly by hindering this vital cellular cleanup mechanism. This new understanding could lead to a re-evaluation of how we assess the risks of PFOS and other similar environmental contaminants, potentially leading to the inclusion of new indicators for liver health and aging in future safety guidelines.
Source: link to paper