Glyphosate Formulations Induce Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Umbilical, Embryonic, and Placental Cells
- 23 December 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Chemical Research in Toxicology
- Vol. 22 (1), 97-105
- https://doi.org/10.1021/tx800218n
Abstract
We have evaluated the toxicity of four glyphosate (G)-based herbicides in Roundup (R) formulations, from 105 times dilutions, on three different human cell types. This dilution level is far below agricultural recommendations and corresponds to low levels of residues in food or feed. The formulations have been compared to G alone and with its main metabolite AMPA or with one known adjuvant of R formulations, POEA. HUVEC primary neonate umbilical cord vein cells have been tested with 293 embryonic kidney and JEG3 placental cell lines. All R formulations cause total cell death within 24 h, through an inhibition of the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase activity, and necrosis, by release of cytosolic adenylate kinase measuring membrane damage. They also induce apoptosis via activation of enzymatic caspases 3/7 activity. This is confirmed by characteristic DNA fragmentation, nuclear shrinkage (pyknosis), and nuclear fragmentation (karyorrhexis), which is demonstrated by DAPI in apoptotic round cells. G provokes only apoptosis, and HUVEC are 100 times more sensitive overall at this level. The deleterious effects are not proportional to G concentrations but rather depend on the nature of the adjuvants. AMPA and POEA separately and synergistically damage cell membranes like R but at different concentrations. Their mixtures are generally even more harmful with G. In conclusion, the R adjuvants like POEA change human cell permeability and amplify toxicity induced already by G, through apoptosis and necrosis. The real threshold of G toxicity must take into account the presence of adjuvants but also G metabolism and time-amplified effects or bioaccumulation. This should be discussed when analyzing the in vivo toxic actions of R. This work clearly confirms that the adjuvants in Roundup formulations are not inert. Moreover, the proprietary mixtures available on the market could cause cell damage and even death around residual levels to be expected, especially in food and feed derived from R formulation-treated crops.Keywords
This publication has 46 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cytotoxic effects and aromatase inhibition by xenobiotic endocrine disrupters alone and in combination☆Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2007
- Time- and Dose-Dependent Effects of Roundup on Human Embryonic and Placental CellsArchives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2007
- Differential Effects of Glyphosate and Roundup on Human Placental Cells and AromataseEnvironmental Health Perspectives, 2005
- Chemical Mixtures: Considering the Evolution of Toxicology and Chemical AssessmentEnvironmental Health Perspectives, 2005
- Glyphosate biomonitoring for farmers and their families: results from the Farm Family Exposure Study.Environmental Health Perspectives, 2004
- Aquatic toxicity of glyphosate-based formulations: comparison between different organisms and the effects of environmental factorsChemosphere, 2003
- International issues on human health effects of exposure to chemical mixtures.Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002
- Analysis of Glyphosate and Its Metabolite, Aminomethylphosphonic Acid, in Agricultural Products by HPLC.Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi), 2001
- Safety Evaluation and Risk Assessment of the Herbicide Roundup and Its Active Ingredient, Glyphosate, for HumansRegulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2000
- Human ocular efects from self-reported exposures to Roundup® herbicidesHuman & Experimental Toxicology, 1999