by A new study links exposure to toxic PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in young adults to poorer gut health, which researchers suspect is a cause of kidney disease later in life.
Kidney disease is one of the well-known health problems linked to PFAS exposure, and the new research suggests that changes in gut bacteria and associated metabolites caused by the chemicals appear to be responsible for up to 50% of the decline in kidney function seen during a period of one year is observed. period of four years.
“Along with these metabolic diseases comes a higher risk of diabetic or chronic kidney disease, and this is one of the fastest growing causes of death in the US, so it’s a very important question,” said Jesse Goodrich, a fellow at New York University. Co-authors of the Southern California study.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of approximately 15,000 compounds used to make products water, stain and grease resistant. They are also linked to a range of serious health problems, such as cancer, immune disorders, birth defects, endocrine disruption and liver disease. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not completely break down once released into the environment.
The only U.S. epidemiological study on the health effects of PFAS shows that some chemicals are likely to cause chronic kidney disease. The researchers built on recent findings linking PFAS to effects on gut health, and to better understand how gut health relates to kidney function.
To try to connect these dots, the scientists gathered a small cohort of young adults, the majority of whom were Hispanic, a group with high rates of metabolic disease and a high risk of kidney disease.
Researchers collected blood and stool samples that allowed them to measure PFAS levels, gut microbiome bacteria and circulating metabolites, and four years later they measured kidney function. They found a decrease in anti-inflammatory metabolites, as well as the bacteria that produce them, and an increase in inflammatory metabolites.
That reduces kidney function, which over time can increase the risk of needing dialysis or a kidney transplant, especially if someone has diabetes or another disease that affects the kidneys.
It’s unclear why PFAS affect gut health, but Goodrich said a “working hypothesis” was that the chemicals mimic fatty acids that are essential for regulating gut health, and that the compounds appear to disrupt that process.
The study’s sample size was small and researchers say this points to the need for broader exploration of the problem. But the authors say the findings could lead to the treatment or prevention of kidney diseases caused by PFAS exposure, which are difficult to control.
At a policy level, the study underlines the need to reduce the amount of PFAS that is produced and released into the environment or used in consumer goods, said co-author Hailey Hampson. But if there is significant exposure, medications can be used to treat disease. The findings also suggest that dietary interventions that balance gut bacteria may be helpful, Hampson said.
