Association between Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance and Abdominal Fat Distribution: A Trait Spectrum Exposure Pattern and Structure-Based Investigation.

Zhi LI; Shi Lin SHAN; Chen Yang SONG; Cheng Zhe TAO; Hong QIAN; Qin YUAN; Yan ZHANG; Qiao Qiao XU; Yu Feng QIN; Yun FAN; Chun Cheng LU

Return

Association between Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance and Abdominal Fat Distribution: A Trait Spectrum Exposure Pattern and Structure-Based Investigation.

Author: Zhi LI ¹ ; Shi Lin SHAN ¹ ; Chen Yang SONG ¹ ; Cheng Zhe TAO ¹ ; Hong QIAN ¹ ; Qin YUAN ¹ ; Yan ZHANG ² ; Qiao Qiao XU ¹ ; Yu Feng QIN ³ ; Yun FAN ⁴ ; Chun Cheng LU ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China;Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.
2. Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China;Department of Public Health, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Lianyungang 222000, Jiangsu, China.
3. Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China;Department of Microbes and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.
4. State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China;Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China;Department of Microbes and Infection, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: NHANES; Obesity; Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; Regional fat depots; Structure-based
MeSH: Humans; Fluorocarbons/blood*; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Male; Environmental Pollutants/blood*; Abdominal Fat; Nutrition Surveys; Alkanesulfonic Acids/blood*; Obesity; Environmental Exposure
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):3-14
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the associations between eight serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and regional fat depots, we analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 cycles.
METHODS:Multiple linear regression models were developed to explore the associations between serum PFAS concentrations and six fat compositions along with a fat distribution score created by summing the concentrations of the six fat compositions. The associations between structurally grouped PFASs and fat distribution were assessed, and a prediction model was developed to estimate the ability of PFAS exposure to predict obesity risk.
RESULTS:Among females aged 39-59 years, trunk fat mass was positively associated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Higher concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoate (PFDeA), perfluorononanoate (PFNA), and n-perfluorooctanoate (n-PFOA) were linked to greater visceral adipose tissue in this group. In men, exposure to total perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs) and long-chain PFSAs was associated with reductions in abdominal fat, while higher abdominal fat in women aged 39-59 years was associated with short-chain PFSAs. The prediction model demonstrated high accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9925 for predicting obesity risk.
CONCLUSION:PFAS exposure is associated with regional fat distribution, with varying effects based on age, sex, and PFAS structure. The findings highlight the potential role of PFAS exposure in influencing fat depots and obesity risk, with significant implications for public health. The prediction model provides a highly accurate tool for assessing obesity risk related to PFAS exposure.