Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) induces cardiotoxicity by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a perfluoroalkyl compound, is linked to congenital heart diseases, though its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that PFOA induces cardiac defects through the inhibition of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway, leading to oxidative damage in cardiomyocytes. In this study, zebrafish embryos exposed to PFOA showed significant cardiac malformations and dysfunction, characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) production, decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Additionally, we observed dysregulation in the expression of key cardiac development genes (vmhc, gata4, nkx2.5, and sox9b). PFOA also reduced the expression of keap1, nrf2, and ho-1. After overexpression of Nrf2, levels of ROS and MDA decreased, while levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px increased. Additionally, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac malformations were alleviated. These findings have suggested that PFOA induces oxidative stress through Keap1/Nrf2 pathway inhibition, ultimately leading to cardiac defects. •PFOA exposure significantly induces developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryo hearts.•PFOA exposure alters the expression of key genes involved in cardiac development.•PFOA exposure induces apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of zebrafish embryos.•PFOA mediates oxidative damage to zebrafish embryo hearts via the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.