Determination of Perflourooctanoic Acid Toxicity in a Human Hepatocarcinoma Cell Line

BACKGROUND. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used in different industrial and commercial products. Research shows the presence of PFOA in home dusts, tap and surface water, and in biological samples. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified PFOA as a possible carcinogen for humans. The liver is thought to be a target organ of PFOA accumulation and toxicity. OBJECTIVE. Some studies have found toxic effects on the liver and related mechanisms; however, more studies are needed to better understand PFOA - induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS. In the present study, a human hepatocarcinoma cell line was exposed to PFOA for 24 hours and cell viability, apoptosis, the oxidative system and immune response were evaluated. RESULTS. While apoptosis was the main cell death pathway at low concentration (86.5%), the necrotic cell fraction increased with higher concentrations (46.7%). Significant changes in the reactive oxygen species (5.3-folds) glutathione (GSH) (1.7-folds) and catalase (CAT) (1.4-folds) levels were observed, as well as changes to interleukin-6 (≤1.8-fold) and interleukin-8 levels (35–40%). CONCLUSIONS. In light of the data, PFOA is potentially hepatotoxic through the investigated pathways. The results represent a background for future in vivo mechanistic studies. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.