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Effect of long- and short-chain perfluorinated compounds on cultured thyroid cells viability and response to TSH

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Abstract

Purpose

Perfluorinated chemicals are widespread pollutants persistent in the environment with links to some major health issues. The two main compounds, perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro-alkyl sulphonate (PFOS), were recently classified as carcinogenetic and thus their use has been restricted. Short-chain PFCs were recently developed as an alternative, but no data regarding the possible endocrine toxicities of these compounds are available. Aim of this study was to investigate whether short-chain PFCs could jeopardize thyroid cell viability and/or interfere with the functional effect TSH.

Methods

Fisher rat thyroid line-5 (FRTL-5) was treated with increasing concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) to evaluate modifications in cell viability and TSH-stimulated cAMP production.

Results

Neither long nor short-chain PFCs affected cell viability (apart from PFOS 100 µM), or interfered with cAMP production.

Conclusions

The results of the present study demonstrate for the first time that short-chain PFCs have no acute cytotoxic effect on thyroid cells in vitro and that cAMP production is not modulated by any of the tested PFCs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Laboratory for Endocrine Disruptors, Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, University of Pavia, Via S. Maugeri 4, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    L. Croce, F. Coperchini, M. Rotondi & L. Chiovato

  2. PHD Course in Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    L. Croce

  3. Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    M. Rotondi & L. Chiovato

  4. Endocrinology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    M. Tonacchera

  5. Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    M. Imbriani

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  1. L. Croce
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  2. F. Coperchini
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  4. M. Imbriani
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Correspondence to L. Croce.

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Croce, L., Coperchini, F., Tonacchera, M. et al. Effect of long- and short-chain perfluorinated compounds on cultured thyroid cells viability and response to TSH. J Endocrinol Invest 42, 1329–1335 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01062-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01062-1

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