Cross-sectional study of lipids and liver enzymes related to a serum biomarker of exposure (ammonium perfluorooctanoate or APFO) as part of a general health survey in a cohort of occupationally exposed workers.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between serum perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), a biomarker of ammonium perfluorooctanoate (APFO) exposure, and lipids and liver enzymes in a cross-sectional study among workers with potential occupational exposure to APFO.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,025 active workers with potential exposure to APFO using linear regression to examine the relationship between PFOA and selected outcomes from a standard metabolic health screening survey, emphasizing lipids and liver enzymes.


RESULTS
Most outcome parameters were within normal limits. After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed a modest but statistically significant, positive relationship between serum PFOA and total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and gamma glutamyl aminotransferase (GGT). No associations were seen for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or bilirubin; associations with AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine transpeptidase) did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate a modest positive association of PFOA on some lipid parameters and a need for follow-up studies.
Sakr
Carine J
CJ
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. carine.sakr@yale.edu
Kreckmann
Kim H
KH
Green
John W
JW
Gillies
Peter J
PJ
Reynolds
Julia L
JL
Leonard
Robin C
RC
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003691:Delaware; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure
D015415:Biomarkers; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D008055:Lipids; C018959:hexadecafluoro-nonanoic acid