Neurotoxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixture exposure in mice: Accumulations in brain and associated changes of behaviors, metabolome, and transcriptome

Abstract

Humans are exposed to complex per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixtures, yet their neurotoxicity and mechanisms remains unclear. This study exposed male mice to 17 PFAS mixtures at low levels (0.2-20 µg/L) for 49 days via drinking water. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS), and perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) accumulated in brain tissues, with brain/plasma ratios of 2.03-5.87, 2.94-12.88, 1.90-3.19, and 0.62-0.93, respectively. Electroencephalogram (EEG) results showed significant alterations, including a reduction in beta spectral edge (21.47-13.85 Hz) and an increase in gamma spectral edge (57.64-79.07 Hz). Histopathological analysis revealed necrosis in the hippocampus, contributing to the observed anxiety-like behaviors and memory impairments in exposed mice. Plasma metabolomics highlighted disrupted osmoprotectants, impaired glutamatergic synapse function, and tryptophan metabolism. Brain metabolomics demonstrated suppression of purine metabolism and activation of arachidonic acid metabolism, suggesting involvement in neurotoxic effects. Transcriptomic profiling further identified dysregulation in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, cholinergic and GABAergic synapses, and calcium signaling pathways, with oxytocin signaling highlighted as a critical mechanism. This study, for the first time, links PFAS mixture to neurotoxicity via neurotransmitter-related pathways, underscoring the need for public health policies and preventive strategies to mitigate PFAS exposure risks.

Keywords: Brain accumulation; Inflammatory response; Multi-omics analysis; Neurotoxicity; PFAS mixture exposure.