Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children
This study examined the effects of branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), two alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), on gut microbiota and metabolic function in Chinese children aged 6–9 years. A total of 336 children were enrolled, p...
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Environment International |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202500131X |
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| author | Zhen Hong Lizi Lin Haoran Yu Qinzhi Wei Yunting Zhang Wanting He Xuemei Liao Jin Jing Guanghui Dong Zheqing Zhang |
| author_facet | Zhen Hong Lizi Lin Haoran Yu Qinzhi Wei Yunting Zhang Wanting He Xuemei Liao Jin Jing Guanghui Dong Zheqing Zhang |
| author_sort | Zhen Hong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examined the effects of branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), two alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), on gut microbiota and metabolic function in Chinese children aged 6–9 years. A total of 336 children were enrolled, providing plasma and fecal samples. Gut microbiota composition was assessed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fecal metabolites and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed using targeted metabolomics profiling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. PFASs in plasma samples were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The results revealed that exposure to PFHpA significantly reduced microbial diversity and richness in the gut microbiota. Specific bacterial genera were found to be positively or negatively associated with branched PFHxS and PFHpA exposures (β = –0.008–––0.009, P_fdr = <0.001–––0.048), with Parabacteroides positively correlated with branched PFHxS and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group negatively correlated with PFHpA. Metabolomic analysis showed that branched PFHxS and PFHpA exposures were associated with distinct changes in fecal metabolite profiles (β = –0.182–––0.177, P_fdr = 0.015–––0.172), particularly reducing fatty acids and amino acids. Additionally, higher exposure to PFHpA was linked to a reduction in SCFA profiles, such as valeric acid (β = –0.691 − –0.341, P = 0.011–––0.030). This study offers new insights into the potential adverse effects of PFASs alternatives, specifically branched PFHxS and PFHpA, on the gut microbiome and metabolic health in children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5bbd7b8eda9e4e0fa45d933d24df3bf0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0160-4120 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environment International |
| spelling | doaj-art-5bbd7b8eda9e4e0fa45d933d24df3bf02025-08-20T02:24:57ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202025-04-0119810938010.1016/j.envint.2025.109380Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in childrenZhen Hong0Lizi Lin1Haoran Yu2Qinzhi Wei3Yunting Zhang4Wanting He5Xuemei Liao6Jin Jing7Guanghui Dong8Zheqing Zhang9Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515 Guangdong, ChinaJoint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515 Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Food Safety and Health Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515 Guangdong, ChinaJoint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong, ChinaJoint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Food Safety and Health Research Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515 Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong, ChinaJoint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080 Guangdong, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China (Z. Zhang). Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China (G. Dong).Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515 Guangdong, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, 1023-1063 Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China (Z. Zhang). Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China (G. Dong).This study examined the effects of branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), two alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), on gut microbiota and metabolic function in Chinese children aged 6–9 years. A total of 336 children were enrolled, providing plasma and fecal samples. Gut microbiota composition was assessed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and fecal metabolites and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed using targeted metabolomics profiling and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. PFASs in plasma samples were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The results revealed that exposure to PFHpA significantly reduced microbial diversity and richness in the gut microbiota. Specific bacterial genera were found to be positively or negatively associated with branched PFHxS and PFHpA exposures (β = –0.008–––0.009, P_fdr = <0.001–––0.048), with Parabacteroides positively correlated with branched PFHxS and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group negatively correlated with PFHpA. Metabolomic analysis showed that branched PFHxS and PFHpA exposures were associated with distinct changes in fecal metabolite profiles (β = –0.182–––0.177, P_fdr = 0.015–––0.172), particularly reducing fatty acids and amino acids. Additionally, higher exposure to PFHpA was linked to a reduction in SCFA profiles, such as valeric acid (β = –0.691 − –0.341, P = 0.011–––0.030). This study offers new insights into the potential adverse effects of PFASs alternatives, specifically branched PFHxS and PFHpA, on the gut microbiome and metabolic health in children.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202500131XPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)Gut microbiotaMetabolitesShort-chain fatty acidsChildren |
| spellingShingle | Zhen Hong Lizi Lin Haoran Yu Qinzhi Wei Yunting Zhang Wanting He Xuemei Liao Jin Jing Guanghui Dong Zheqing Zhang Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children Environment International Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) Gut microbiota Metabolites Short-chain fatty acids Children |
| title | Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| title_full | Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| title_fullStr | Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| title_short | Branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA): ’Safer’ per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| title_sort | branched perfluorohexanesulfonic acid pfhxs and perfluoroheptanoic acid pfhpa safer per and polyfluoroalkyl substances pfass alternatives for their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic function in children |
| topic | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) Gut microbiota Metabolites Short-chain fatty acids Children |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202500131X |
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