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.
