Background. While perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a family of commonly used synthetic compounds with many applications, some PFCs remain persistent within the human body due, in part, to enterohepatic recirculation and renal tubular reabsorption. With increasing recognition of potential harm to human health associated with PFC bioaccumulation, interventions to facilitate elimination of these toxicants are welcome in order to potentially preclude or overcome illness. Minimal research has been undertaken thus far on methods to accelerate human clearance of PFCs. Methods. To test for possible oral treatments to hasten PFC elimination, a group of individuals with elevated PFC levels was treated with cholestyramine (CSM) and, after a break, was subsequently treated with Chlorella pyrenoidosa (CP). Stool samples were collected from all participants (i) prior to any treatment, (ii) during treatment with CSM, and (iii) during treatment with CP. Results. With CSM treatment, significant levels of three distinct PFCs were found in all stools, while levels were mostly undetectable prior to treatment. Following treatment with oral CP, undetectable or very low levels of all PFCs were noted in each sample tested. Conclusion. CSM appears to facilitate elimination of some common PFCs and may have some role in the clinical management of patients with accrued PFCs. 1. Introduction and Background Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a group of anthropogenic chemicals with many useful applications, including repelling stains on furniture/carpets/clothing as well as securing nonadherence in food packaging and nonstick cooking surfaces. Structurally, these compounds consist of a linear or branched carbon backbone, that is, entirely substituted by strong bonds fluorine atoms. The fluorine component of PFCs provides extremely low surface tension and accounts for their unique hydrophobic (water repelling) and lipophobic (lipid repelling) natures [1]. These compounds differ markedly from most other chemical surfactants in that they are very stable, nonreactive, and effective at low concentrations. With these unique properties, selected PFCs have been used to make commercial products that are resistant to both water and oil, are stain resistant, and can also withstand the extremes of temperature, pH, and oxidizing conditions. 1.1. Human PFC Exposure With a number of useful applications, PFC compounds have come into common use in western culture. Human exposure in domestic and commercial settings has occurred as a result of processes such as inhalation of contaminated air,
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