The deleterious effects of N,N-dimethylformamide on liver: A mini-review

N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is a versatile solvent with wide industrial applications. Evidences from animal studies and occupational poisoning cases have clearly demonstrated that DMF exposure can lead to different degrees of liver damage. It is noteworthy that DMF below the threshold limit value (TLV) may also cause liver injury in some sensitive populations. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms by which DMF induces hepatotoxicity remain largely unknown, despite considerable attention has been drawn to the hepatotoxic effects of DMF. Although some pilot studies have provided some evidences supporting the involvement of oxidative stress, the disturbance of gut microbiota and calcium homeostasis, etc, the causal roles of these factors on the onset of DMF-induced hepatotoxicity need to be confirmed. This article reviews the current knowledge about the deleterious effects of DMF on the liver.