Objective:

To investigate whether therapeutic apheresis can reduce circulating PFAS and microplastic-related signals in patients.

Approach:

• Study Design: The study involved 34 patients undergoing double filtration plasmapheresis to assess the reduction of environmental contaminants from blood.
• Measurement Techniques: Plasma PFAS levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in two independent laboratories.
• Additional Analysis: Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) was used to analyze blood samples for the presence of microplastics.

Key Findings:

• Significant reductions in C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) were observed.
• One laboratory reported up to 25% reductions in PFAS levels (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS) in samples from 14 patients.
• Polyethylene decreased in all four patients analyzed for microplastics, and polyvinyl chloride decreased in three.
• Several detectable polymers were no longer found in two patients after treatment with apheresis plus a selective nucleic acid adsorption device.

Interpretation:

The findings are preliminary.

Limitations:

• The study does not establish a shared clearance mechanism for PFAS and microplastics.
• Small sample sizes and variability in patient indications and apheresis systems limit the findings.
• Contamination remains a concern in the measurement of microplastics in blood.

Conclusion:

Future research will focus on tracking the movement of micro- and nanoplastics in larger animal models post-apheresis.

Sources:

• Technische Universität Dresden