Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that specific gut microbes can absorb toxic PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' which pose significant health risks including infertility and cancer.

In experiments with mice, gut bacteria effectively sequestered PFAS from consumption, which were then excreted, thereby reducing systemic exposure to these harmful chemicals.

The study's findings suggest that harnessing gut bacteria for PFAS capture could lead to new probiotic treatments for humans, potentially mitigating the health impacts of these chemicals.

Dr. Anna Lindell, the study's first author, noted that PFAS exposure is widespread, affecting everyone via water and food, and emphasized their cumulative toxic impact over time.

PFAS are linked to serious health issues, including decreased fertility, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, raising concerns about their accumulation in the human body.

PFAS comprises over 4,700 compounds used in various products, leading to widespread environmental contamination, particularly in water and food systems.

The discovery is particularly timely given the extensive use of over 4,700 PFAS compounds in everyday products, emphasizing the need for both probiotic interventions and stricter environmental regulations.

The study's authors, Dr. Kiran Patil and Dr. Anna Lindell, have co-founded Cambiotics to develop these probiotics, with support from Cambridge Enterprise.

Cambiotics aims to develop probiotics that enhance PFAS removal from the human body, with an initial product expected by 2026.

The study identified a TolC-dependent mechanism in E. coli for limiting PFAS bioaccumulation, suggesting active transport mechanisms at play rather than passive accumulation.

Researchers demonstrated that the bacteria actively transport PFAS across their membranes, marking the first proof of intracellular PFAS bioaccumulation using advanced imaging techniques.

Overall, the findings underscore the need to further investigate the interactions between gut microbiota and environmental contaminants, particularly PFAS.