Gestational exposure to GenX induces hepatic alterations by the gut-liver axis in maternal mice: A similar mechanism as PFOA

Xu, LL; Chen, YK; Zhang, QY; Chen, LJ; Zhang, KK; Li, JH; Liu, JL; Wang, Q; Xie, XL

HERO ID

10176475

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2022

Language

English

PMID

35066053

HERO ID 10176475
In Press No
Year 2022
Title Gestational exposure to GenX induces hepatic alterations by the gut-liver axis in maternal mice: A similar mechanism as PFOA
Authors Xu, LL; Chen, YK; Zhang, QY; Chen, LJ; Zhang, KK; Li, JH; Liu, JL; Wang, Q; Xie, XL
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Volume 820
Page Numbers 153281
Abstract GenX is an alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and was included in the accession list of Substances of Very High Concern in 2019. Gestational GenX exposure induces maternal hepatotoxicity in animals. However, the mechanisms of GenX toxicity have not been explored. In the present study, pregnant Balb/c mice were administered with PFOA (1 mg/kg BW/day), GenX (2 mg/kg BW/day), or Milli-Q water by gavage during gestation. Similar hepatic pathological changes, including enlargement of hepatocytes, cytoplasm loss, nucleus migration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and reduction of glycogen storage, were observed in PFOA and GenX groups. Increased expression levels of indicators of the TLR4 pathway indicated activation of inflammation in the liver of maternal mice after exposure to PFOA or GenX, consistent with the pathological changes. Overexpression of cleaved PARP-1, cleaved caspase 3, Bax and decreased Bcl-2 proteins indicated activation of apoptosis, whereas overexpression of ULK-1, p62, beclin-1, LC3-II proteins and downregulation of p-mTOR implied that PFOA and GenX exposure initiated autophagy. Decreased secretion of mucus, reduced expression levels of tight junction proteins, and higher serum levels of lipopolysaccharide indicated disruption of the intestinal barrier. Translocation of lipopolysaccharide may be recognized by TLR4, thus triggering inflammatory pathway in the maternal liver. In summary, gestational exposure to PFOA or GenX induced maternal hepatic alterations through the gut-liver axis.
Doi 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153281
Pmid 35066053
Wosid WOS:000775486000014
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword GenX; PFOA; Hepatic alteration; Maternal; Gut -liver axis