Potential correlation between perfluorinated acids and liver morphology in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

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.