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Background: Ammonium 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoic acid (GenX) is a replacement for perfluorooctanoic acid in the production of fluoropolymers used in a variety of consumer products. GenX alters fetal development and antibody production and elicits toxic responses in the livers and kidneys of rodents. The GenX effect on the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is unknown. The BBB protects the brain from xenobiotic neurotoxicants and harmful endogenous metabolites. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of GenX on the transport activity and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance–associated protein 2 (MRP2) at the BBB. Methods: Transporter activities were measured in isolated rat brain capillaries by a confocal microscopy–based method. ATPase (enzymatic hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate to inorganic phosphate) levels were measured in vitro. Western blotting determined P-gp and BCRP protein levels. Cell survival after GenX exposure was determined for two human cell lines. Results: Nanomolar levels of GenX inhibited P-gp and BCRP but not MRP2 transport activities in male and female rat brain capillaries. P-gp transport activity returned to control levels after GenX removal. GenX did not reduce P-gp- or BCRP-associated ATPase activity in an in vitro transport assay system. Reductions of P-gp but not BCRP transport activity were blocked by a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) antagonist. GenX reduced P-gp and BCRP transport activity in human cells. Conclusion: In rats, GenX at 0.1–100 nM rapidly (in 1–2 h) inhibited P-gp and BCRP transport activities at the BBB through different mechanisms. PPARγ was required for the GenX effects on P-gp but not BCRP transport activity. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5884

2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP, CAS No. 118-79-6) is widely used as a brominated flame retardant and wood antifungal agent. TBP is frequently detected in environmental matrices, biota, and humans. In female SD rats, systemically available TBP (10 µmol/kg, IV) was rapidly excreted primarily via urine, with approximately 61% of the dose recovered after 4 h, and 89%–94% in 24 h; 5% was recovered in feces; and 1%–2% in blood/tissues. TBP administered to female SD rats (0.1–1000 µmol/kg) by gavage was well absorbed, with approximately 25% eliminated via urine after 4 h and approximately 88% after 24 h. Approximately 11% of a single oral dose was recovered in bile. Male SD rats and B6C3F1/J mice of both sexes had similar disposition profiles when administered a single oral dose of TBP (10 µmol/kg). Following administration, fecal recoveries varied only slightly by dose, sex, or species. TBP readily passed unchanged through both human (ex vivo only) and rat skin with between 55% and 85% of a 100 nmol/cm2 passing into or through skin. Concentrations of TBP in blood fit a two-compartment model after IV-dosing and a one-compartment model after oral dosing. Urine contained a mixture of TBP, TBP-glucuronide, and TBP-sulfate. Fecal extracts contained only parent TBP whereas bile contained only TBP-glucuronide. TBP did not appear to bioaccumulate or alter its own metabolism after repeated administration. TBP was readily absorbed at all doses and routes tested with an oral bioavailability of 23%–27%; 49% of TBP is expected to be dermally bioavailable in humans. From these data, we conclude that humans are likely to have significant systemic exposure when TBP is ingested or dermal exposure occurs.

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) is a brominated flame retardant (BFR) commonly used in electronics to meet fire safety standards and has the largest worldwide production of any BFR. TBBPA has been detected in human breast milk and maternal/cord serum, indicating exposure to mothers, fetuses, and breastfeeding newborns although exposure to fetuses and newborns is poorly understood. Pregnant or nursing Wistar Han IGS rats were administered [14C]-TBBPA in a single dose (25 mg/kg, 2.5 μCi/kg) and euthanized between 0.5&24 h post dose to determine disposition in pregnant and nursing rats and their pups. Systemic exposure was largely unchanged between 1&8 h post dose in pregnant rats; [14C]-radioactivity in blood varied only slightly between 0.5&8 h (2.6 ± 0.6 → 2.6 ± 0.8 nmol-eq/mL) but was below the limit of detection at 24 h with an absorption half-life of 16min and elimination half-life of 17 h. Cmax was observed at 30min in lactating rats and concentrations fell steadily through 8 h. Plasma from pregnant rats contained a mixture of TBBPA and TBBPA-conjugates at 30min but only metabolites in subsequent samples. TBBPA was not detected in lactating dam plasma in this study. Placental concentrations increased through 8 h while whole-fetus Cmax occurred at 2 h post dose. In lactating animals, liver, uterus, and mammary time-concentration curves lagged slightly behind blood-concentration curves. It was clear from these studies that TBBPA is available to both the developing fetus and nursing pup following maternal exposure, and nursing pups are continuously exposed via contaminated milk produced by their mother. This research was supported in part by the Intramural Research Program of NIH/NCI.