1H NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis of Sub-Lethal Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Exposure to the Earthworm, Eisenia fetida, in Soil

Metabolites

Brian P. Lankadurai¹  Vasile I. Furdui²  Eric J. Reiner²  André J. Simpson¹ 

[1] Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; E-Mails:;Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 125 Resources Road, Toronto, Ontario M9P 3V6, Canada; E-Mails:

关键词: PFOS;    metabolic profiling;    mode of action;    PFAAs;    earthworms;   

DOI  :  10.3390/metabo3030718

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

¹H NMR-based metabolomics was used to measure the response of Eisenia fetida earthworms after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in soil. Earthworms were exposed to a range of PFOS concentrations (five, 10, 25, 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg) for two, seven and fourteen days. Earthworm tissues were extracted and analyzed by ¹H NMR. Multivariate statistical analysis of the metabolic response of E. fetida to PFOS exposure identified time-dependent responses that were comprised of two separate modes of action: a non-polar narcosis type mechanism after two days of exposure and increased fatty acid oxidation after seven and fourteen days of exposure. Univariate statistical analysis revealed that 2-hexyl-5-ethyl-3-furansulfonate (HEFS), betaine, leucine, arginine, glutamate, maltose and ATP are potential indicators of PFOS exposure, as the concentrations of these metabolites fluctuated significantly. Overall, NMR-based metabolomic analysis suggests elevated fatty acid oxidation, disruption in energy metabolism and biological membrane structure and a possible interruption of ATP synthesis. These conclusions obtained from analysis of the metabolic profile in response to sub-lethal PFOS exposure indicates that NMR-based metabolomics is an excellent discovery tool when the mode of action (MOA) of contaminants is not clearly defined.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.