Do perfluoroalkyl substances aggravate the occurrence of obesity-associated glucolipid metabolic disease?

Since 2016, more and more studies have been conducted to explore the combination of obesity and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exposure, and the results indicate that PFASs may be connected with the occurrence of obesity-associated glucolipid metabolic disease (GLMD). This article summarizes the epidemiological studies on PFASs and obesity-related GLMD, as well as relevant experimental evidence. (i) Both obesity and PFASs exposure can cause disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism (GLM). (ii) Obesity is a pivotal factor in the high incidence of GLMD induce by PFASs. (iii) PFASs are aggravating the occurrence of obesity-associated GLMD [e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and liver disease]. The paper fills the gaps among environmental chemistry/epidemiology/toxicology area research. More importantly, PFASs should be taken into account to explain the high-prevalence of obesity-related GLMD. Three research programs are proposed to explore the synergistic mechanism of PFASs and obesity. In addition, three suggestions are recommended to solve the harm of PFASs pollutants to human beings.