Research progress on the toxic effects and mechanisms of perfluorobutyric acid
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20251221
- VernacularTitle:全氟丁酸毒性效应及其机制研究进展
- Author:
Lin ZHONG
1
;
Yiru QIN
;
Zuofei XIE
;
Banghua WU
;
Lihua XIA
Author Information
1. School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Perfluorobutyric acid;
Toxic effects;
Hepatotoxic effects;
Toxicological mechanism
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2025;52(6):709-712
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) is a representative short-chain compound of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which is widely used in fluorochemical manufacturing, food packaging, and outdoor textile processing industries. PFBA primarily enters into the human body via oral intake, inhalation, and dermal exposure and can be efficiently metabolized. PFBA exhibits cytotoxicity by disrupting cell proliferation, inducing oxidative stress, and disturbing lipid metabolism, thereby impairing cellular homeostasis. In addition, PFBA can induce abnormal activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α-dependent and/or independent pathways, leading to lipid metabolism disorders and subsequent liver injury. Animal studies have demonstrated that PFBA exposure alters renal biochemical parameters and induces epidermal inflammation, abnormal keratinization, and even necrosis, suggesting potential nephrotoxicity and dermal toxicity. PFBA is capable of crossing the placental barrier, and PFBA levels in umbilical cord blood have been negatively correlated with insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1. Moreover, plasma PFBA levels in patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 have been associated with infection severity, indicating potential reproductive, developmental, and immunotoxic effects. At present, systematic occupational and environmental exposure monitoring data for PFBA remain limited, the toxic mechanisms in certain target organs have not been fully elucidated, and the molecular regulatory networks underlying reproductive and immune toxicity remain unclear. Future research should focus on improving PFBA monitoring strategies, strengthening studies on PFBA occupational exposure detection methods, toxic effects and mechanisms, and refining occupational risk assessment systems, to provide a scientific basis for establishing occupational exposure limits, optimizing risk management strategies, and safeguarding public health.
