High levels of serum perfluorinated compounds in children and adolescents with endocrine autoimmune disease

Background: Impairments of endocrine system may be associated with exposure to certain chemical compounds. Much attention has recently focused on interference with thyroid function in relation to exposure to endocrine disruptors chemicals among which perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are considered a priority research issue. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are widely diffused since used in the productions of polymers, additives, adhesives, cosmetics, insecticides and many other uses. PFCs are characterized by a high potential to bioaccumulate, by binding proteins, aspect that allows transmission of contamination through food chains and retention in the body, once assumed. Objective: Aim of this study is to assess PFCs concentrations in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) compared to healthy controls. Methods: Forty-four children and adolescents were recruited and subdivided in the following groups: (1) twenty-five subjects (6.11 ± 3.33 years.) with T1DM and (2) nineteen healthy controls matched for age and gender. Blood samples to assay PFCs were collected and stored few days after T1DM was diagnosed. PFOS and PFOA have been extracted following an ion-pairing extraction procedure and determined by HPLC-ESI-MS. Nonparametric statistical analysis was performed. Results: PFOS concentrations resulted significantly higher in T1DM patients respect to controls (1.53 ± 1.50 vs. 0.55 ± 0.15 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.0001, Mann–Whitney U-test). No difference was found in PFOA levels (0.53 ± 0.09 vs. 0.50 ± 0.06 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.148, Mann–Whitney Utest). Conclusions: Our data suggests that higher serum levels of PFOS may be considered as a biomarker of exposure and susceptibility to develop TIDM. Further studies are necessary to better understand the role of this and other chemical compound as triggers of autoimmune endocrine diseases during childhood.