Aberrant hepatic lipid metabolism associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis triggers hepatotoxicity of novel PFOS alternatives in adult zebrafish.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity in wildlife and humans. Novel PFOS alternatives have been widely used following restrictions on PFOS, but little is known about their potential toxicity. Here, the first comprehensive investigation on the chronic hepatotoxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms of PFOS, 6:2Cl-PFESA (F-53B), and sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS) was carried out on adult zebrafish through a histopathological examination, biochemical measurement, and multi-omics analysis. PFOS and its alternatives caused changes in liver histopathology and liver function indices in the order of F-53B > PFOS > OBS, which was consistent with their concentration in the liver. In silico modeling and transcriptional profiles suggested that the aberrant hepatic lipid metabolism induced by F-53B and PFOS was initiated by the action on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which triggered changes in downstream genes transcription and led to an imbalance between lipid synthesis and expenditure. Gut microbiome...