Exposure to persistent organic pollutants alters the serum metabolome in non-obese diabetic mice

Tim Sinioja, Johanna Bodin, Daniel Duberg, Hubert Dirven, Hanne Friis Berntsen, Karin Zimmer, Unni C Nygaard, Matej Orešič, Tuulia Hyötyläinen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)
3 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes (T1D) are believed to be caused by the interplay between several genetic and environmental factors. Elucidation of the role of environmental factors in metabolic and immune dysfunction leading to autoimmune disease is not yet well characterized.

OBJECTIVES: Here we investigated the impact of exposure to a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on the metabolome in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an experimental model of T1D. The mixture contained organochlorides, organobromides, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

METHODS: Analysis of molecular lipids (lipidomics) and bile acids in serum samples was performed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, while polar metabolites were analyzed by GC-Q-TOF/MS.

RESULTS: Experimental exposure to the POP mixture in these mice led to several metabolic changes, which were similar to those previously reported as associated with PFAS exposure, as well as risk of T1D in human studies. This included an increase in the levels of sugar derivatives, triacylglycerols and lithocholic acid, and a decrease in long chain fatty acids and several lipid classes, including phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins.

CONCLUSION: Taken together, our study demonstrates that exposure to POPs results in an altered metabolic signature previously associated with autoimmunity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number87
Number of pages14
JournalMetabolomics
Volume18
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2022
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Animals
  • Persistent Organic Pollutants
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/chemically induced
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
  • Metabolomics
  • Metabolome

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