![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
The potential impact from exposure to high perfluorinated acid (PFA) levels (mean = 1280 ng g−1 wet weight; SD = 645; range = 114–3052; n = 57) was investigated on liver lesions as evidenced by the following parameters: Mononuclear cell infiltrations, lipid granulomas, steatosis, Ito cells, and bile duct hyperplasia/portal fibrosis in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Statistical analyses showed that prevalence of liver lesions was not significantly influenced by PFA concentrations. However, these findings are not unexpected as the PFA concentration was within a 4-fold range in all tissue samples. At present, it is not clear whether chronic exposure to PFA is associated with appearance of liver lesions in polar bears, however these hepatic lesions were similar to those produced by PFA under controlled lab conditions. It is conceivable that at sufficient concentrations in polar bears PFA might induce liver pathologic alterations.
Acknowledgements
The Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic and the Lundbeck Foundation are acknowledged for financial support. Hanne and Birger Sandell, Jonas Brønlund, and local hunters are acknowledged for organizing the sampling in East Greenland. Maja Kirkegaard participated in the age determination. Sigga Joensen are acknowledged for handling and transferring samples. Inga Jensen and Elsebeth Johansen for conducting the chemical analysis. A conflict of interest was not reported.