Association between PFAS exposure and metabolic-related biomarkers in Spanish adolescents.
Rodriguez-Carrillo. Andrea A; Vela-Soria. Fernando F; Smagulova. Fatima F; Fernández. Mariana F MF; Freire. Carmen C
Key Findings
- PFHpA exposure was associated with lower blood glucose, while PFUnDA was linked to higher glucose, total cholesterol, and HDL.
- Higher PFOS levels were related to higher systolic blood pressure after accounting for kisspeptin.
- Both PFNA and total PFAS concentrations were positively associated with increased kisspeptin levels.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, the main takeaway is that environmental PFAS exposure may subtly shift metabolic health and kisspeptin levels, but there is no direct guidance on using kisspeptin-10 as a supplement. Reducing PFAS exposure (e.g., avoiding contaminated water, non-stick cookware, certain food packaging) could be a sensible precaution for metabolic and hormonal balance. More controlled trials are needed before any kisspeptin-based protocols can be recommended.
Summary
A study of Spanish teenage boys found that higher levels of certain PFAS chemicals in the blood are linked to changes in metabolism (like blood sugar and cholesterol) and to higher levels of the hormone kisspeptin. Some PFAS were tied to higher blood pressure, while others were linked to better cholesterol profiles. The researchers think kisspeptin might be part of how PFAS affect the body's metabolic system, but more research is needed.
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exert endocrine disruptive effects on the endocrine-metabolic axis. Emerging knowledge suggests that kisspeptin may play a key role in these effects. To assess the cross-sectional association of blood PFAS concentrations with kisspeptin levels, KISS1 gene DNA methylation, and metabolic-related biomarkers in adolescent males from the Spanish INMA-Granada cohort. Seven PFAS and twelve biomarkers (glucose-GLU, total cholesterol-TC, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, total bilirubin-BILT, direct bilirubin-BILD, and urea) were measured in plasma and serum, respectively, from 129 adolescent males (15-17 yrs). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse, z-scored body mass index, kisspeptin protein levels (n = 104) and whole blood KISS1 DNA methylation (n = 117) were determined. Linear regression models, weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine (BKMR) were fit. PFHpA was associated with lower GLU levels [% change per log-unit increase in plasma concentrations (95%CI) = -4.73 (-8.98;-0.28)], and PFUnDA with higher GLU, TC, and HDL levels. In models adjusted by kisspeptin level, PFOS was associated with higher SBP [3.42 (-0.12; 7.09)]. Additionally, PFNA and total PFAS concentrations were associated with higher kisspeptin levels [3.91 (0.55; 7.37) and 6.14 (0.47; 12.13), respectively]. Mixture models showed that combined PFAS exposure was associated with higher HDL, lower hepatic biomarkers (ALT, BILD) and higher kisspeptin levels. Certain PFAS (e.g. PFUnDA) and their mixture were associated with metabolic-related biomarkers, mainly GLU, HDL, and SBP. These associations may be influenced by kisspeptin levels. More studies are needed to verify these observations.
Study Information
pubmed
2025
2025-02-19T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/j.envres.2025.121171
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