The effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) on humoral, cellular, and innate immunity in Fischer 344 rats.

The in vivo effects of perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) exposure on antibody production, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), and natural killer (NK) cell activity were determined. Fischer 344 rats were injected with PFDA (20 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg, 8 days or 30 days prior to sacrifice) and were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Pair-fed and ad libitum-fed control rats were included to evaluate effects of PFDA-induced anorexia. KLH-specific IgG2a production was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in PFDA-treated rats when compared to ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls at 8 days but not at 30 days following PFDA treatment. The DTH response of PFDA-treated rats was decreased 8 days and 30 days after PFDA treatment when compared to ad libitum-fed and pair-fed controls, however, the decrease was not statistically significant. NK activity 30 days after PFDA treatment was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) when compared to ad libitum-fed controls, but pair-fed controls had similarly elevated NK activity. NK activity at 8 days after PFDA treatment was not significantly altered. In conclusion, PFDA has been demonstrated to have immunomodulatory effects, some of which may be associated with drug-induced anorexia.