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Hajimohammadi B, Eslami G, Zandi H, Ehrampoush MH, Naimi A, Derakhshan M, Hedayat P, Fallahi R, Fallahzadeh H, Rezvani ME, Vakili M, Moshtaghioun SM, Athari SS, Asadi-Yousefabad SL, Hosseini SS, Shirdeli M, Ahmadian S, Mortazavi S, Loni E, Ajamein V, Ahmadi A, Askari V. Safety assessment of genetically modified rice expressing Cry1Ab protein in Sprague-Dawley rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1126. [PMID: 33441963 PMCID: PMC7807014 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-80958-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rice is considered one of the most important staple food crops. Genetically modified (GM) Bt rice, harbored cry1Ab gene expressing the insect-resistance protein has been developed to resistance to the insects. In this study, we assessed the safety of the GM Bt rice on Sprague–Dawley rats for 90 days. Totally, 120 rats in both sexes were used for three different diets, including 50% GM Bt rice, feeding with 50% rice, and standard feeding. Each 40 SD rats including 20 males and 20 females were considered as each diet. The clinical variables such as body weight and food consumption were measured and a range of clinical tests was examined, including hematology, serum chemistry parameters, urinalysis profile, thyroid, and sex hormone levels. Pathological assessments were also done. The results showed that the mean weekly feed utilization (%) had no significant difference among the studied groups. Also, blood biochemistry, hematological parameters, urine analysis, and hormonal levels had no significant differences among the groups. However, alanine aminotransferase was less in males versus female feeding with GM Bt rice. No histopathological changes were observed among the groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that GM Bt rice had no obvious adverse effects on rats' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahador Hajimohammadi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Gilda Eslami
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Hengameh Zandi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mohammad Hassan Ehrampoush
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Azar Naimi
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Maryam Derakhshan
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Pegah Hedayat
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Roozbeh Fallahi
- Animal Viral Diseases Research Department, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), 3197619751, Karaj, Iran
| | - Hossein Fallahzadeh
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Daneshjoo Boulevard, Health School, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blv., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mohammad Ebrahim Rezvani
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahmoud Vakili
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Health Monitoring Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blv., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | | | - Seyyed Shamsadin Athari
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Seyedeh Leili Asadi-Yousefabad
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Saeedeh Sadat Hosseini
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mehrnoush Shirdeli
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Food Security Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Salman Ahmadian
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Shirin Mortazavi
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Elahe Loni
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Vahid Ajamein
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Amin Ahmadi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Vahideh Askari
- Research Center for Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Shohadaye Gomnam Blvd., Yazd, 8916188638, Islamic Republic of Iran
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Bhatti F, Asad S, Khan QM, Mobeen A, Iqbal MJ, Asif M. Risk assessment of genetically modified sugarcane expressing AVP1 gene. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 130:267-275. [PMID: 31132391 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Biosafety is a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses social, societal, ethical issues and policies for the regulations of genetically modified (GM) organisms. The potential health risks associated with GM sugarcane containing AVP1 gene confers resistance against drought and salinity were evaluated by animal feeding studies and some genotoxicity assays. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity examinations were carried out via oral dose administration of GM sugarcane juice supplemented with the normal diet (modified from certified rodent standard diet) on Wistar rats. AVP1 protein concentration in sugarcane juice was 1mg/1 mL. Biochemical, haematological blood analyses were performed and the results revealed that there were non-significant differences among all the treatment groups; GM sugarcane juice, non-GM sugarcane juice and the control group (normal diet and water). Genotoxicity assessment based on the comet assay and the micronucleus assay data exhibited that AVP1 GM sugarcane was not genotoxic or cytotoxic in rat's peripheral blood. These research findings supported the conclusion that GM AVP1 sugarcane was non-toxic in experimental animals. Therefore, data generated through this research work would be helpful for the commercial release of GM AVP1 sugarcane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farheen Bhatti
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Shaheen Asad
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - Qaiser Mahmood Khan
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Ameena Mobeen
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Javed Iqbal
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), P. O Box 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Bhutia SK, Panda PK, Sinha N, Praharaj PP, Bhol CS, Panigrahi DP, Mahapatra KK, Saha S, Patra S, Mishra SR, Behera BP, Patil S, Maiti TK. Plant lectins in cancer therapeutics: Targeting apoptosis and autophagy-dependent cell death. Pharmacol Res 2019; 144:8-18. [PMID: 30951812 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Plant lectins are non-immunoglobin in nature and bind to the carbohydrate moiety of the glycoconjugates without altering any of the recognized glycosyl ligands. Plant lectins have found applications as cancer biomarkers for recognizing the malignant tumor cells for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Interestingly, plant lectins contribute to inducing cell death through autophagy and apoptosis, indicating their potential implication in cancer inhibitory mechanism. In the present review, anticancer activities of major plant lectins have been documented, with a detailed focus on the signaling circuit for the possible molecular targeted cancer therapy. In this context, several lectins have exhibited preclinical and clinical significance, driving toward therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. Moreover, several plant lectins induce immunomodulatory activities, and therefore, novel strategies have been established from preclinical and clinical investigations for the development of combinatorial treatment consisting of immunotherapy along with other anticancer therapies. Although the application of plant lectins in cancer is still in very preliminary stage, advanced high-throughput technology could pave the way for the development of lectin-based complimentary medicine for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujit K Bhutia
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India.
| | - Prashanta K Panda
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Niharika Sinha
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Prakash P Praharaj
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Chandra S Bhol
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Debasna P Panigrahi
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Kewal K Mahapatra
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Sarbari Saha
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Srimanta Patra
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Soumya R Mishra
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Bishnu P Behera
- Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tapas K Maiti
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur-721302, India
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Impact of Antibiotics on Efficacy of Cry Toxins Produced in Two Different Genetically Modified Bt Maize Varieties in Two Lepidopteran Herbivore Species, Ostrinia nubilalis and Spodoptera littoralis. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10120489. [PMID: 30477136 PMCID: PMC6316186 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10120489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely-used biopesticides that are used both as Bt spore-crystal preparations in sprayable formulations and as activated toxins in genetically modified (GM) plants. Models for their modes of action have been proposed but many issues remain unresolved. Among those is the role of commensal gut bacteria in target insect death: previous studies showed that antibiotics attenuate the toxicity of Bt sprays. We tested whether antibiotics interfere with the effects of GM plant-produced Bt toxins in larvae of two Lepidopteran species, the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis and the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis. The larvae were reared on artificial diet with or without antibiotics and, thereafter, fed two varieties of Bt GM maize in comparison to conventional non-Bt maize leaves sprayed with antibiotic solution and/or with a Bt formulation. Antibiotics significantly reduced or delayed the toxicity of Cry toxins, although to a lesser extent than previously reported for Bt-sprays. This supports the hypothesis that Cry toxins induce mortality by themselves in the absence of Bt bacteria and spores, and of commensal gut bacteria. However, larvae that were not treated with antibiotics died faster and at a higher rate which was further compounded by plant variety and species sensitivity. These findings support a hypothesis that toxicemia alone can inflict significant mortality. However, in the absence of antibiotics, the gut bacteria likely enhance the Cry toxin effect by inflicting, additionally, bacterial septicemia. This has important implications in field situations where antibiotic substances are present—e.g., from manure of animals from conventional production systems—and for ecotoxicological testing schemes of Bt toxins and nontarget organisms that are often using artificial diets enriched with high concentrations of antibiotics.
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High-throughput Sequencing-based Analysis of the Intestinal Microbiota of Broiler Chickens Fed Genetically Modified Rice Expressing Cry1Ac/Cry1Ab Chimeric Bacillus thuringiensis Protein. J Poult Sci 2018; 55:10-16. [PMID: 32055151 PMCID: PMC6756379 DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0170029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Many types of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-crops are being grown worldwide, triggering concerns about their potential impact on humans and livestock. To ensure better yield and food safety in China, an attempt has been made to develop Bt-rice targeting a broad range of insects. We aimed to investigate whether feeding genetically modified rice expressing the Bt chimeric Cry1Ac/Cry1Ab protein has any effects on the intestinal microbiota of broilers. Broilers were fed either Bt-rice or its unmodified isogenic parent line for 42 days, and total DNA was isolated from cecum contents for high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In total, 1,241,005 reads, assigned to 12 phyla, 31 families, and 48 genera were generated. No significant differences were observed in the relative abundance of organisms identified among the major phyla, families, and genera, except for two less abundant families, Thermoanaerobacteraceae and Peptostreptococcaceae, and two less abundant genera, Anaerotruncus and Gelria. The results were in agreement with those from culture-based analysis and Biolog EcoPlates. These results illustrate that feeding Bt-rice has no adverse effects on the broiler intestinal microbiota and provide sufficient support for the food safety of Bt-rice.
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Lozano VL, Defarge N, Rocque LM, Mesnage R, Hennequin D, Cassier R, de Vendômois JS, Panoff JM, Séralini GE, Amiel C. Sex-dependent impact of Roundup on the rat gut microbiome. Toxicol Rep 2017; 5:96-107. [PMID: 29854581 PMCID: PMC5977165 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2017.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We have examined the long-term effects of Roundup on rat gut microbiota. 141 bacteria families were identified by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Roundup caused an alteration of the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. An environmental concentration of Roundup has a sex-dependent impact on rat gut microbiome.
A growing body of research suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota induced by environmental pollutants, such as pesticides, could have a role in the development of metabolic disorders. We have examined the long-term effects of 3 doses of the Roundup(R) herbicide (made of glyphosate and formulants) on the gut microbiota in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. A total of 141 bacteria families were identified by a 16S sequencing analysis approach. An OPLS-DA analysis revealed an increased Bacteroidetes family S24-7 and a decreased Lactobacillaceae in 8 out of the 9 females treated with 3 different doses of R (n = 3, for each dose). These effects were confirmed by repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting showing a clustering of treated females. A culture-based method showed that R had a direct effect on rat gut microbiota. Cultivable species showed different sensitivities to R, including the presence of a high tolerant or resistant strain identified as Escherichia coli by 16S rRNA sequencing. The high tolerance of this E. Coli strain was explained by the absence of the EPSPS gene (coding glyphosate target enzyme) as shown by DNA amplification. Overall, these gut microbiome disturbances showed a substantial overlap with those associated with liver dysfunction in other studies. In conclusion, we revealed that an environmental concentration of R (0.1 ppb) and other two concentrations (400 ppm and 5,000 ppm) have a sex-dependent impact on rat gut microbiome composition and thus warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica L Lozano
- University of Caen Normandy (UCN), UR ABTE, EA 4651 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, CS 14032 Caen Cedex 5, France.,Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment MRSH, University of Caen Normandy, Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Nicolas Defarge
- CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.,University of Caen Normandy (UCN), Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Louis-Marie Rocque
- AdGène Laboratoire, 1 Rue des Conquérants, CS 14220, Thury-Harcourt, France.,CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France
| | - Robin Mesnage
- CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.,Gene Expression and Therapy Group, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, 8th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
| | - Didier Hennequin
- University of Caen Normandy (UCN), UR ABTE, EA 4651 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, CS 14032 Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Renaud Cassier
- AdGène Laboratoire, 1 Rue des Conquérants, CS 14220, Thury-Harcourt, France
| | | | - Jean-Michel Panoff
- University of Caen Normandy (UCN), UR ABTE, EA 4651 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, CS 14032 Caen Cedex 5, France.,CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.,University of Caen Normandy (UCN), Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France.,Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment MRSH, University of Caen Normandy, Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Gilles-Eric Séralini
- University of Caen Normandy (UCN), UR ABTE, EA 4651 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, CS 14032 Caen Cedex 5, France.,CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.,Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment MRSH, University of Caen Normandy, Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France
| | - Caroline Amiel
- University of Caen Normandy (UCN), UR ABTE, EA 4651 Boulevard Maréchal Juin, CS 14032 Caen Cedex 5, France.,CRIIGEN, 81 rue Monceau, 75008 Paris, France.,Network on Risks, Quality and Sustainable Environment MRSH, University of Caen Normandy, Esplanade de la Paix, CS 14032, Caen Cedex 5, France
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Hong B, Du Y, Mukerji P, Roper JM, Appenzeller LM. Safety Assessment of Food and Feed from GM Crops in Europe: Evaluating EFSA's Alternative Framework for the Rat 90-day Feeding Study. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2017; 65:5545-5560. [PMID: 28573861 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b01492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory-compliant rodent subchronic feeding studies are compulsory regardless of a hypothesis to test, according to recent EU legislation for the safety assessment of whole food/feed produced from genetically modified (GM) crops containing a single genetic transformation event (European Union Commission Implementing Regulation No. 503/2013). The Implementing Regulation refers to guidelines set forth by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for the design, conduct, and analysis of rodent subchronic feeding studies. The set of EFSA recommendations was rigorously applied to a 90-day feeding study in Sprague-Dawley rats. After study completion, the appropriateness and applicability of these recommendations were assessed using a battery of statistical analysis approaches including both retrospective and prospective statistical power analyses as well as variance-covariance decomposition. In the interest of animal welfare considerations, alternative experimental designs were investigated and evaluated in the context of informing the health risk assessment of food/feed from GM crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Hong
- Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. , Johnston, Iowa 50131, United States
| | - Yingzhou Du
- Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. , Johnston, Iowa 50131, United States
- Iowa State University , Snedecor Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Pushkor Mukerji
- DuPont Haskell Global Centers for Health and Environmental Sciences , Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
| | - Jason M Roper
- DuPont Haskell Global Centers for Health and Environmental Sciences , Newark, Delaware 19711, United States
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Koch MS, DeSesso JM, Williams AL, Michalek S, Hammond B. Adaptation of the ToxRTool to Assess the Reliability of Toxicology Studies Conducted with Genetically Modified Crops and Implications for Future Safety Testing. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2016; 56:512-26. [PMID: 25208336 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2013.788994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To determine the reliability of food safety studies carried out in rodents with genetically modified (GM) crops, a Food Safety Study Reliability Tool (FSSRTool) was adapted from the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods' (ECVAM) ToxRTool. Reliability was defined as the inherent quality of the study with regard to use of standardized testing methodology, full documentation of experimental procedures and results, and the plausibility of the findings. Codex guidelines for GM crop safety evaluations indicate toxicology studies are not needed when comparability of the GM crop to its conventional counterpart has been demonstrated. This guidance notwithstanding, animal feeding studies have routinely been conducted with GM crops, but their conclusions on safety are not always consistent. To accurately evaluate potential risks from GM crops, risk assessors need clearly interpretable results from reliable studies. The development of the FSSRTool, which provides the user with a means of assessing the reliability of a toxicology study to inform risk assessment, is discussed. Its application to the body of literature on GM crop food safety studies demonstrates that reliable studies report no toxicologically relevant differences between rodents fed GM crops or their non-GM comparators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Koch
- a Monsanto Company, Product Safety Center , St. Louis , Missouri , USA
| | | | | | - Suzanne Michalek
- c Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Alabama , USA
| | - Bruce Hammond
- a Monsanto Company, Product Safety Center , St. Louis , Missouri , USA
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Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Suilectin™ (Phaseolus vulgarislectins) as a zootechnical additive for suckling piglets (performance enhancer). EFSA J 2015. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2015.3903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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10
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A three generation reproduction study with Sprague-Dawley rats consuming high-amylose transgenic rice. Food Chem Toxicol 2014; 74:20-7. [PMID: 25194626 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2014.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The transgenic rice line (TRS) enriched with amylose and resistant starch (RS) was developed by antisense RNA inhibition of starch-branching enzymes. Cereal starch with high amylose has a great benefit on human health through its resistant starch. In order to evaluate the effect of transgenic rice on rats, the rats were fed diets containing 70% TRS rice flour, its near-isogenic rice flour or the standard diet as the control through three generations. In the present study, clinical performance, reproductive capacity and pathological responses including body weight, food consumption, reproductive data, hematological parameters, serum chemistry components, organ relative weights and histopathology were examined. Some statistically significant differences were observed in rats consuming the high amylose rice diet when compared to rats fed the near-isogenic control rice diet or the conventional (non-rice) standard diet. These differences were generally of small magnitude, appeared to be random in nature, and were within normal limits for the strain of rat used, and were therefore not considered to be biologically meaningful or treatment related.
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Bartholomaeus A, Parrott W, Bondy G, Walker K. The use of whole food animal studies in the safety assessment of genetically modified crops: limitations and recommendations. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013; 43 Suppl 2:1-24. [PMID: 24164514 PMCID: PMC3833814 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2013.842955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
There is disagreement internationally across major regulatory jurisdictions on the relevance and utility of whole food (WF) toxicity studies on GM crops, with no harmonization of data or regulatory requirements. The scientific value, and therefore animal ethics, of WF studies on GM crops is a matter addressable from the wealth of data available on commercialized GM crops and WF studies on irradiated foods. We reviewed available GM crop WF studies and considered the extent to which they add to the information from agronomic and compositional analyses. No WF toxicity study was identified that convincingly demonstrated toxicological concern or that called into question the adequacy, sufficiency, and reliability of safety assessments based on crop molecular characterization, transgene source, agronomic characteristics, and/or compositional analysis of the GM crop and its near-isogenic line. Predictions of safety based on crop genetics and compositional analyses have provided complete concordance with the results of well-conducted animal testing. However, this concordance is primarily due to the improbability of de novo generation of toxic substances in crop plants using genetic engineering practices and due to the weakness of WF toxicity studies in general. Thus, based on the comparative robustness and reliability of compositional and agronomic considerations and on the absence of any scientific basis for a significant potential for de novo generation of toxicologically significant compositional alterations as a sole result of transgene insertion, the conclusion of this review is that WF animal toxicity studies are unnecessary and scientifically unjustifiable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bartholomaeus
- Therapeutics Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of QueenslandQueenslandAustralia
- Faculty of Health, School of Pharmacy, Canberra UniversityCanberraAustralia
| | - Wayne Parrott
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of GeorgiaAthens, GAUSA
| | - Genevieve Bondy
- Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, Health CanadaOttawa, OntarioCanada
| | - Kate Walker
- ILSI International Food Biotechnology CommitteeWashington, DCUSA
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Yuan Y, Xu W, He X, Liu H, Cao S, Qi X, Huang K, Luo Y. Effects of genetically modified T2A-1 rice on the GI health of rats after 90-day supplement. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1962. [PMID: 23752350 PMCID: PMC3678139 DOI: 10.1038/srep01962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal toxin (Bt) rice will be commercialized as a main food source. Traditional safety assessments on genetically modified products pay little attention on gastrointestinal (GI) health. More data about GI health of Bt rice must be provided to dispel public' doubts about the potential effects on human health. We constructed an improved safety assessment animal model using a basic subchronic toxicity experiment, measuring a range of parameters including microflora composition, intestinal permeability, epithelial structure, fecal enzymes, bacterial activity, and intestinal immunity. Significant differences were found between rice-fed groups and AIN93G-fed control groups in several parameters, whereas no differences were observed between genetically modified and non-genetically modified groups. No adverse effects were found on GI health resulting from genetically modified T2A-1 rice. In conclusion, this study may offer a systematic safety assessment model for GM material with respect to the effects on GI health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Yuan
- Laboratory of Food Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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13
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Herman RA, Ekmay R. Do whole-food animal feeding studies have any value in the safety assessment of GM crops? Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 68:171-4. [PMID: 23851038 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The use of whole-food (grain meal contained in feed) animal-feeding studies to support the safety assessment of genetically modified crops has been contentious. This may be, in part, a consequence of poorly agreed upon study objectives. Whole-food animal-feeding studies have been postulated to be useful in detecting both expected and unexpected effects on the composition of genetically modified crops. While the justification of animal feeding studies to detect unexpected effects may be inadequately supported, there may be better justification to conduct such studies in specific cases to investigate the consequences of expected compositional effects including expression of transgenic proteins. Such studies may be justified when (1) safety cannot reasonably be predicted from other evidence, (2) reasonable hypothesis for adverse effects are postulated, (3) the compositional component in question cannot be isolated or enriched in an active form for inclusion in animal feeding studies, and (4) reasonable multiples of exposure can be accomplished relative to human diets. The study design for whole-food animal-feeding studies should be hypotheses-driven, and the types of data collected should be consistent with adverse effects that are known to occur from dietary components of biological origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rod A Herman
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, United States.
| | - Ricardo Ekmay
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, United States.
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14
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Grünwald S, Adam IV, Gurmai AM, Bauer L, Boll M, Wenzel U. The Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum as a Model to Monitor Food Safety and Functionality. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2013; 135:111-22. [PMID: 23748350 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
: Food quality is a fundamental issue all over the world. There are two major requirements to provide the highest quality of food: having the lowest reachable concentrations of health-threatening ingredients or contaminants and having the optimal concentrations of health-improving functional ingredients. Often, the boundaries of both requirements are blurred, as might be best exemplified by nutraceuticals (enriched food products invented to prevent or even treat diseases), for which undesirable side effects have been reported sometimes. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for reliable methods to screen for health effects of wanted or unwanted ingredients in a complex food matrix before more complex model organisms or human probands become involved. In this chapter, we present the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum as a model organism to screen for effects of complex foods on healthspan or lifespan by assessing the survival of the beetles under heat stress at 42 °C after feeding different diets. There is a higher genetic homology between T. castaneum and humans when compared to other invertebrate models, such as Drosophila melanogaster or Caenorhabditis elegans. Therefore, the red flour beetle appears as an interesting model to study interactions between genes and food ingredients, with relevance for stress resistance and lifespan. In that context, we provide data showing reduced lifespans of the beetles when the food-relevant contaminant benz(a)pyrene is added to the flour they were fed on, whereas a lifespan extension was observed in beetles fed on flour enriched with an extract of red wine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Grünwald
- Molecular Nutrition Research, Interdisciplinary Research Center, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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15
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A 90-day dietary toxicity study of genetically modified rice T1C-1 expressing Cry1C protein in Sprague Dawley rats. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52507. [PMID: 23300690 PMCID: PMC3531449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In a 90-day study, Sprague Dawley rats were fed transgenic T1C-1 rice expressing Cry1C protein and were compared with rats fed non-transgenic parental rice Minghui 63 and rats fed a basal diet. No adverse effects on animal behavior or weight gain were observed during the study. Blood samples were collected and analyzed, and standard hematological and biochemical parameters were compared. A few of these parameters were found to be significantly different, but were within the normal reference intervals for rats of this breed and age, and were thus not considered to be treatment-related. Following sacrifice, a large number of organs were weighed, and macroscopic and histopathological examinations were performed with no changes reported. The aim of this study was to use a known animal model to determine the safety of the genetically modified (GM) rice T1C-1. The results showed no adverse or toxic effects due to T1C-1 rice when tested in this 90-day study.
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16
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Langkilde S, Schrøder M, Frank T, Shepherd LVT, Conner S, Davies HV, Meyer O, Danier J, Rychlik M, Belknap WR, McCue KF, Engel KH, Stewart D, Knudsen I, Poulsen M. Compositional and toxicological analysis of a GM potato line with reduced α-solanine content--a 90-day feeding study in the Syrian Golden hamster. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 64:177-85. [PMID: 22796474 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2012.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 06/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxins, produced by plants of the Solanaceae family. The potato plant (Solanum tuberosum L.) and its tubers predominantly contain the two GAs α-chaconine and α-solanine. These compounds are believed to act in synergy, and the degree of toxicity may therefore depend on their ratio in the potato. To determine the influence of α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio in potatoes on toxicity, a GM potato line (SGT 9-2) with reduced α-solanine content, and the parental control line (Desirée wild-type) having a traditional α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio were (1) studied for compositional similarity by analysing for a range of potato constituents, and (2) used in a 90-day feeding trial with the Syrian Golden hamster to study differential toxicity. The animal feeding study used diets with up to 60% freeze-dried potato powder from either line. Whilst data indicated some compositional differences between the GM line and its wildtype control these did not raise concerns related to nutritional value or safety. Results of the feeding trials showed a low number of significant differences between potato lines with different α-solanine: α-chaconine ratio but none were considered to raise safety concerns with regard to human (or animal) consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Langkilde
- The National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2860 Soeborg, Denmark
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17
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Chougule NP, Bonning BC. Toxins for transgenic resistance to hemipteran pests. Toxins (Basel) 2012; 4:405-29. [PMID: 22822455 PMCID: PMC3398418 DOI: 10.3390/toxins4060405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2012] [Revised: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The sap sucking insects (Hemiptera), which include aphids, whiteflies, plant bugs and stink bugs, have emerged as major agricultural pests. The Hemiptera cause direct damage by feeding on crops, and in some cases indirect damage by transmission of plant viruses. Current management relies almost exclusively on application of classical chemical insecticides. While the development of transgenic crops expressing toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has provided effective plant protection against some insect pests, Bt toxins exhibit little toxicity against sap sucking insects. Indeed, the pest status of some Hemiptera on Bt-transgenic plants has increased in the absence of pesticide application. The increased pest status of numerous hemipteran species, combined with increased prevalence of resistance to chemical insecticides, provides impetus for the development of biologically based, alternative management strategies. Here, we provide an overview of approaches toward transgenic resistance to hemipteran pests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bryony C. Bonning
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +1-515-294-1989; Fax: +1-515-294-5957
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18
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A three generation study with high-lysine transgenic rice in Sprague-Dawley rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2012; 50:1902-10. [PMID: 22510491 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2011] [Revised: 03/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lysine-rich rice (LR) is a transgenic rice produced by fusion protein expressed genes into the germline of rice seeds. Compositional analysis of LR showed that the absolute concentration of lysine was significantly higher as compared to a near-isogenic non-transgenic rice. Lysine is believed to be the first limiting essential amino acid in rice, it is important to improve lysine content on rice nutritional quality. Here we report the results of a three generation study comparing the outcome in rats fed the transgenic rice to those fed conventional, near-isogenic rice or a control diet. In the study, both clinical performance variables and pathological responses such as body weight, food consumption, reproductive data, hematological parameters, serum chemistry and relative organ weights were examined respectively. It was evident that there were no adverse effects observed in rats that were fed transgenic rice compared with non-transgenic rice. There were significant differences in some hematology, serum chemistry parameters and relative organ weights in rats consuming the transgenic rice diet or non-transgenic rice diet compared with the control diet, but no macroscopic or histological adverse effects were observed. So the results from this study demonstrate that LR rice is as safe as near-isogenic non-transgenic rice.
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19
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Luan FX, Tao R, Xu YG, Wu J, Guan XJ. High-throughput detection of genetically modified rice ingredients in foods using multiplex polymerase chain reaction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography method. Eur Food Res Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-012-1671-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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20
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Guidance on conducting repeated-dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rodents on whole food/feed. EFSA J 2011. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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21
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Zhou XH, Dong Y, Xiao X, Wang Y, Xu Y, Xu B, Shi WD, Zhang Y, Zhu LJ, Liu QQ. A 90-day toxicology study of high-amylose transgenic rice grain in Sprague-Dawley rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 49:3112-8. [PMID: 21967780 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Revised: 09/02/2011] [Accepted: 09/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A transgenic rice line (TRS) with high amylose level has been developed by antisense RNA inhibition of starch branching enzymes. Compositional analysis of TRS demonstrated that the content of resistant starch (RS) was significantly higher compared to conventional non-transgenic rice. High level of RS is an important raw material in food industry and has various physiological effects for human health. In order to provide the reliable theory basis for field release of TRS rice, we evaluated the potential health effects of long-term consumption of the TRS. The 90-day toxicology feeding experiment was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats fed with diets containing 70% of either TRS rice flour, its near-isogenic rice flour or the control diet. The clinical performance variables (body weight, body weight gain and food consumption) were measured and pathological responses (hematological parameters and serum chemistry at the midterm and the completion of the experiment, urinalysis profile and serum sex hormone response at the completion of the experiment) were performed. Besides, clinical signs, relative organ weights and microscopic observations were also compared between TRS group and its near-isogenic rice group. The combined data indicates that high-amylose TRS grain is as safe as the conventional non-transgenic rice for rat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Hua Zhou
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China
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22
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Vandenborre G, Smagghe G, Van Damme EJM. Plant lectins as defense proteins against phytophagous insects. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2011; 72:1538-50. [PMID: 21429537 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2011.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important direct defense responses in plants against the attack by phytophagous insects is the production of insecticidal peptides or proteins. One particular class of entomotoxic proteins present in many plant species is the group of carbohydrate-binding proteins or lectins. During the last decade a lot of progress was made in the study of a few lectins that are expressed in response to herbivory by phytophagous insects and the insecticidal properties of plant lectins in general. This review gives an overview of lectins with high potential for the use in pest control strategies based on their activity towards pest insects. In addition, potential target sites for lectins inside the insect and the mode of action are discussed. In addition, the effect of plant lectins on non-target organisms such as beneficial insects as well as on human/animal consumers is discussed. It can be concluded that some insecticidal lectins are useful tools that can contribute to the development of integrated pest management strategies with minimal effect(s) on non-target organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Vandenborre
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Glycobiology, Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Yuan Y, Xu W, Luo Y, Liu H, Lu J, Su C, Huang K. Effects of genetically modified T2A-1 rice on faecal microflora of rats during 90 day supplementation. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2011; 91:2066-2072. [PMID: 21520451 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.4421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2010] [Revised: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many animal studies have been performed on products with the Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal toxin-encoding gene (Bt products), but less have focused on its effects on intestinal microflora owing to difficulties in culturing. This 90 day study was designed to assess unintended effects of genetically modified T2A-1 rice (GMR) on selected intestinal bacteria (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup, Enterococcus genus and Clostridium perfringens) of rats by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS During the whole experiment, no statistically significant differences in the numbers of specific bacteria and total bacteria were found between the GMR group and its parental group. At all stages of the experiment the two main probiotics (Lactobacillus group and Bifidobacterium genus) in faeces accounted for 11-23% of the total bacteria, whereas the conditional pathogens (E. coli subgroup, Enterococcus genus and C. perfringens) made up less than 1% of the total bacteria. B/E (log(10) copies of Bifidobacterium genome g(-1) faeces/log(10) copies of E. coli genome g(-1) faeces) ratios from 1.19 to 1.34 were obtained. Furthermore, significant correlations (P < 0.01) between the real-time PCR method and the plate count method were found, with r values ranging from 0.60 to 0.75. CONCLUSION No adverse effects on the numbers of specific bacteria in rat faeces were observed as a result of GMR feeding. The real-time PCR method is recommended in further studies on the composition and dynamics of the intestinal bacteria community for better safety assessment of GM materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Yuan
- Laboratory of Food Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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24
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Domingo JL, Giné Bordonaba J. A literature review on the safety assessment of genetically modified plants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2011; 37:734-42. [PMID: 21296423 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2010] [Revised: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a notable concern on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods/plants, an important and complex area of research, which demands rigorous standards. Diverse groups including consumers and environmental Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) have suggested that all GM foods/plants should be subjected to long-term animal feeding studies before approval for human consumption. In 2000 and 2006, we reviewed the information published in international scientific journals, noting that the number of references concerning human and animal toxicological/health risks studies on GM foods/plants was very limited. The main goal of the present review was to assess the current state-of-the-art regarding the potential adverse effects/safety assessment of GM plants for human consumption. The number of citations found in databases (PubMed and Scopus) has dramatically increased since 2006. However, new information on products such as potatoes, cucumber, peas or tomatoes, among others was not available. Corn/maize, rice, and soybeans were included in the present review. An equilibrium in the number research groups suggesting, on the basis of their studies, that a number of varieties of GM products (mainly maize and soybeans) are as safe and nutritious as the respective conventional non-GM plant, and those raising still serious concerns, was currently observed. Nevertheless, it should be noted that most of these studies have been conducted by biotechnology companies responsible of commercializing these GM plants. These findings suggest a notable advance in comparison with the lack of studies published in recent years in scientific journals by those companies. All this recent information is herein critically reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- José L Domingo
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
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25
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Event-specific qualitative and quantitative detection of transgenic rice Kefeng-6 by characterization of the transgene flanking sequence. Eur Food Res Technol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-010-1389-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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26
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Chen SJ, Chen NT, Wang SH, Hsu JC, Ding WH, Kuo-Huang LL, Huang RN. Insecticidal action of mammalian galectin-1 against diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2009; 65:923-930. [PMID: 19437454 DOI: 10.1002/ps.1775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that mammalian galectin-1 (GAL1) could interact with chitosan or chitin, one component of the peritrophic membrane (PM). This finding suggests that the PM could be a target of GAL1, which prompted the authors to explore the effect of GAL1 on larval growth and its potential mechanism. RESULTS The development of Plutella xylostella (L.) larvae was significantly disturbed after they were fed recombinant GAL1. The histochemical structure and immunostaining pattern suggested that GAL1 treatment resulted in dose- and time-dependent disruption of the microvilli and abnormalities in these epithelial cells. Ultrastructural studies showed that the PM was not present in the midgut of GAL1-treated insects; instead, numerous bacteria were found in the lumen area. These results indicate that the protective function of the PM was disrupted by GAL1 treatment. Moreover, in vitro data showed that GAL1 interacts with chitosan/chitin in a dose-dependent manner, and also specifically binds to the PM in vitro. CONCLUSION In view of the fact that the carbohydrate recognition domain of GAL1 recognises the structural motif N-acetyl lactosamine (Gal beta 1-4 GlcNAc), which is similar to that of chitin (beta-1,4 N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), it is proposed that the insecticidal mechanism of GAL1 involves direct binding with chitin to interfere with the structure of the PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiang Jiuun Chen
- Department of Life Science, Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and TechComm-5, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Abstract
The risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) crops for human nutrition and health has not been systematic. Evaluations for each GM crop or trait have been conducted using different feeding periods, animal models, and parameters. The most common result is that GM and conventional sources induce similar nutritional performance and growth in animals. However, adverse microscopic and molecular effects of some GM foods in different organs or tissues have been reported. Diversity among the methods and results of the risk assessments reflects the complexity of the subject. While there are currently no standardized methods to evaluate the safety of GM foods, attempts towards harmonization are on the way. More scientific effort is necessary in order to build confidence in the evaluation and acceptance of GM foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A Magaña-Gómez
- Coordinación de Nutrición, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
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28
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A 90-day toxicology study of transgenic lysine-rich maize grain (Y642) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2008; 47:425-32. [PMID: 19073230 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2008] [Revised: 11/10/2008] [Accepted: 11/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The gene for a lysine-rich protein (sb401) obtained from potatoes (Solanum berthaultii) was inserted into maize seed to produce Y642 transgenic maize. Compositional analysis of Y642 grain demonstrated that the concentrations of lysine and total protein were higher than those observed in maize grain from a near-isogenic non-genetically modified (non-GM) commercially available control quality protein maize (Nongda 108). The safety of Y642 maize grain was assessed by comparison of toxicology response variables in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats consuming diets containing Y642 maize grain with those containing Nongda 108 maize grain. Maize grains from Y642 or Nongda 108 were incorporated into rodent diets at low (30%) or high concentrations (76%) and administered to SD rats (n=10/sex/group) for 90 days. An additional group of negative control group of rats (n=10/sex/group) were fed AIN93G diets. No adverse diet-related differences in body weights, feed consumption/utilization, clinical chemistry, hematology, absolute and relative organ weights were observed. Further, no differences in gross or microscopic pathology were observed between rats consuming diets with Y642 maize grain compared with rats consuming diets containing Nongda 108 maize grain. These results demonstrated that Y642 lysine-rich maize is as safe and nutritious as conventional quality protein maize.
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29
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Development of an event-specific Real-time PCR detection method for the transgenic Bt rice line KMD1. Eur Food Res Technol 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-008-0981-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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30
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Shimizu-Ibuka A, Nakai Y, Nakamori K, Morita Y, Nakajima KI, Kadota K, Watanabe H, Okubo S, Terada T, Asakura T, Misaka T, Abe K. Biochemical and genomic analysis of neoculin compared to monocot mannose-binding lectins. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2008; 56:5338-5344. [PMID: 18537258 DOI: 10.1021/jf800214b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Neoculin occurring in an edible tropical fruit is a heterodimeric protein which has both sweetness and a taste-modifying activity that converts sourness to sweetness. Both the primary and the overall tertiary structures of neoculin resemble those of monocot mannose-binding lectins. This study investigated differences in biochemical properties between neoculin and the lectins. Structural comparison between the mannose-binding sites of lectins and the corresponding regions of neoculin showed that there is at least one amino acid substitution at each site in neoculin, suggesting a reason for the lack of its mannose-binding ability. This was consistent with hemagglutination assay data demonstrating that neoculin had no detectable agglutinin activity. DNA microarray analysis indicated that neoculin had no significant influence on gene expression in Caco-2 cell, whereas kidney bean lectin (Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin) greatly influenced various gene expressions. These data strongly suggest that neoculin has no lectin-like properties, encouraging its practical use in the food industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Shimizu-Ibuka
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry and Agricultural Bioinformatics Research Unit, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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31
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Safety and Nutritional Assessment of GM Plants and derived food and feed: The role of animal feeding trials. EFSA J 2008. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2008.1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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32
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Safety and nutritional assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed: the role of animal feeding trials. Food Chem Toxicol 2008; 46 Suppl 1:S2-70. [PMID: 18328408 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
In this report the various elements of the safety and nutritional assessment procedure for genetically modified (GM) plant derived food and feed are discussed, in particular the potential and limitations of animal feeding trials for the safety and nutritional testing of whole GM food and feed. The general principles for the risk assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed are followed, as described in the EFSA guidance document of the EFSA Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms. In Section 1 the mandate, scope and general principles for risk assessment of GM plant derived food and feed are discussed. Products under consideration are food and feed derived from GM plants, such as maize, soybeans, oilseed rape and cotton, modified through the introduction of one or more genes coding for agronomic input traits like herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance. Furthermore GM plant derived food and feed, which have been obtained through extensive genetic modifications targeted at specific alterations of metabolic pathways leading to improved nutritional and/or health characteristics, such as rice containing beta-carotene, soybeans with enhanced oleic acid content, or tomato with increased concentration of flavonoids, are considered. The safety assessment of GM plants and derived food and feed follows a comparative approach, i.e. the food and feed are compared with their non-GM counterparts in order to identify intended and unintended (unexpected) differences which subsequently are assessed with respect to their potential impact on the environment, safety for humans and animals, and nutritional quality. Key elements of the assessment procedure are the molecular, compositional, phenotypic and agronomic analysis in order to identify similarities and differences between the GM plant and its near isogenic counterpart. The safety assessment is focussed on (i) the presence and characteristics of newly expressed proteins and other new constituents and possible changes in the level of natural constituents beyond normal variation, and on the characteristics of the GM food and feed, and (ii) the possible occurrence of unintended (unexpected) effects in GM plants due to genetic modification. In order to identify these effects a comparative phenotypic and molecular analysis of the GM plant and its near isogenic counterpart is carried out, in parallel with a targeted analysis of single specific compounds, which represent important metabolic pathways in the plant like macro and micro nutrients, known anti-nutrients and toxins. Significant differences may be indicative of the occurrence of unintended effects, which require further investigation. Section 2 provides an overview of studies performed for the safety and nutritional assessment of whole food and feed. Extensive experience has been built up in recent decades from the safety and nutritional testing in animals of irradiated foods, novel foods and fruit and vegetables. These approaches are also relevant for the safety and nutritional testing of whole GM food and feed. Many feeding trials have been reported in which GM foods like maize, potatoes, rice, soybeans and tomatoes have been fed to rats or mice for prolonged periods, and parameters such as body weight, feed consumption, blood chemistry, organ weights, histopathology etc have been measured. The food and feed under investigation were derived from GM plants with improved agronomic characteristics like herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance. The majority of these experiments did not indicate clinical effects or histopathological abnormalities in organs or tissues of exposed animals. In some cases adverse effects were noted, which were difficult to interpret due to shortcomings in the studies. Many studies have also been carried out with feed derived from GM plants with agronomic input traits in target animal species to assess the nutritive value of the feed and their performance potential. Studies in sheep, pigs, broilers, lactating dairy cows, and fish, comparing the in vivo bioavailability of nutrients from a range of GM plants with their near isogenic counterpart and commercial varieties, showed that they were comparable with those for near isogenic non-GM lines and commercial varieties. In Section 3 toxicological in vivo, in silico, and in vitro test methods are discussed which may be applied for the safety and nutritional assessment of specific compounds present in food and feed or of whole food and feed derived from GM plants. Moreover the purpose, potential and limitations of the 90-day rodent feeding trial for the safety and nutritional testing of whole food and feed have been examined. Methods for single and repeated dose toxicity testing, reproductive and developmental toxicity testing and immunotoxicity testing, as described in OECD guideline tests for single well-defined chemicals are discussed and considered to be adequate for the safety testing of single substances including new products in GM food and feed. Various in silico and in vitro methods may contribute to the safety assessment of GM plant derived food and feed and components thereof, like (i) in silico searches for sequence homology and/or structural similarity of novel proteins or their degradation products to known toxic or allergenic proteins, (ii) simulated gastric and intestinal fluids in order to study the digestive stability of newly expressed proteins and in vitro systems for analysis of the stability of the novel protein under heat or other processing conditions, and (iii) in vitro genotoxicity test methods that screen for point mutations, chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage/repair. The current performance of the safety assessment of whole foods is mainly based on the protocols for low-molecular-weight chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, food additives and contaminants. However without adaptation, these protocols have limitations for testing of whole food and feed. This primarily results from the fact that defined single substances can be dosed to laboratory animals at very large multiples of the expected human exposure, thus giving a large margin of safety. In contrast foodstuffs are bulky, lead to satiation and can only be included in the diet at much lower multiples of expected human intakes. When testing whole foods, the possible highest concentration of the GM food and feed in the laboratory animal diet may be limited because of nutritional imbalance of the diet, or by the presence of compounds with a known toxicological profile. The aim of the 90-days rodent feeding study with the whole GM food and feed is to assess potential unintended effects of toxicological and/or nutritional relevance and to establish whether the GM food and feed is as safe and nutritious as its traditional comparator rather than determining qualitative and quantitative intrinsic toxicity of defined food constituents. The design of the study should be adapted from the OECD 90-day rodent toxicity study. The precise study design has to take into account the nature of the food and feed and the characteristics of the new trait(s) and their intended role in the GM food and feed. A 90-day animal feeding trial has a large capacity (sensitivity and specificity) to detect potential toxicological effects of single well defined compounds. This can be concluded from data reported on the toxicology of a wide range of industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food substances, environmental, and agricultural chemicals. It is possible to model the sensitivity of the rat subchronic feeding study for the detection of hypothetically increased amount of compounds such as anti-nutrients, toxicants or secondary metabolites. With respect to the detection of potential unintended effects in whole GM food and feed, it is unlikely that substances present in small amounts and with a low toxic potential will result in any observable (unintended) effects in a 90-day rodent feeding study, as they would be below the no-observed-effect-level and thus of unlikely impact to human health at normal intake levels. Laboratory animal feeding studies of 90-days duration appear to be sufficient to pick up adverse effects of diverse compounds that would also give adverse effects after chronic exposure. This conclusion is based on literature data from studies investigating whether toxicological effects are adequately identified in 3-month subchronic studies in rodents, by comparing findings at 3 and 24 months for a range of different chemicals. The 90-day rodent feeding study is not designed to detect effects on reproduction or development other than effects on adult reproductive organ weights and histopathology. Analyses of available data indicate that, for a wide range of substances, reproductive and developmental effects are not potentially more sensitive endpoints than those examined in subchronic toxicity tests. Should there be structural alerts for reproductive/developmental effects or other indications from data available on a GM food and feed, then these tests should be considered. By relating the estimated daily intake, or theoretical maximum daily intake per capita for a given whole food (or the sum of its individual commercial constituents) to that consumed on average per rat per day in the subchronic 90-day feeding study, it is possible to establish the margin of exposure (safety margin) for consumers. Results obtained from testing GM food and feed in rodents indicate that large (at least 100-fold) 'safety' margins exist between animal exposure levels without observed adverse effects and estimated human daily intake. Results of feeding studies with feed derived from GM plants with improved agronomic properties, carried out in a wide range of livestock species, are discussed. The studies did not show any biologically relevant differences in the parameters tested between control and test animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
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Knudsen I, Poulsen M. Comparative safety testing of genetically modified foods in a 90-day rat feeding study design allowing the distinction between primary and secondary effects of the new genetic event. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2008; 49:53-62. [PMID: 17719159 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2007.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2007] [Revised: 06/13/2007] [Accepted: 07/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This article discusses the wider experiences regarding the usefulness of the 90-day rat feeding study for the testing of whole foods from genetically modified (GM) plant based on data from a recent EU-project [Poulsen, M., Schrøder, M., Wilcks, A., Kroghsbo, S., Lindecrona, R.H., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J., Rychlik, M., Shu, Q., Emami, K., Taylor, M., Gatehouse, A., Engel, K.-H., Knudsen, I., 2007a. Safety testing of GM-rice expressing PHA-E lectin using a new animal test design. Food Chem. Toxicol. 45, 364-377; Poulsen, M., Kroghsbo, S., Schrøder, M., Wilcks, A., Jacobsen, H., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J., Rychlik, M., Shu, Q., Emami, K., Sudhakar, D., Gatehouse, A., Engel, K.-H., Knudsen, I., 2007b. A 90-day safety in Wistar rats fed genetically modified rice expressing snowdrop lectin Galanthus nivalis (GNA). Food Chem. Toxicol. 45, 350-363; Schrøder, M., Poulsen, M., Wilcks, A., Kroghsbo, S., Miller, A., Frenzel, T., Danier, J., Rychlik, M., Emami, K., Gatehouse, A., Shu, Q., Engel, K.-H., Knudsen, I., 2007. A 90-day safety study of genetically modified rice expressing Cry1Ab protein (Bacillus thuringiensis toxin) in Wistar rats. Food Chem. Toxicol. 45, 339-349]. The overall objective of the project has been to develop and validate the scientific methodology necessary for assessing the safety of foods from genetically modified plants in accordance with the present EU regulation. The safety assessment in the project is combining the results of the 90-day rat feeding study on the GM food with and without spiking with the pure novel gene product, with the knowledge about the identity of the genetic change, the compositional data of the GM food, the results from in-vitro/ex-vivo studies as well as the results from the preceding 28-day toxicity study with the novel gene product, before the hazard characterisation is concluded. The results demonstrated the ability of the 90-day rat feeding study to detect the biological/toxicological effects of the new gene product in the GM food. The authors consider on this basis that the 90-day, rodent feeding study with one high dose level and a dietary design based upon compositional data on the GM food and toxicity data on the gene product is sensitive and specific enough to verify the presence/absence of the biological/nutritional/toxicological effects of the novel gene insert and further by the use of spiking able to separate potentially unintended effects of the novel gene product from other unintended effects at the level of intake defined in the test and within the remit of the test. Recommendations for further work necessary in the field are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ib Knudsen
- Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, 19 Moerkhoej Bygade, DK-2860 Soeborg, Denmark
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Kroghsbo S, Madsen C, Poulsen M, Schrøder M, Kvist PH, Taylor M, Gatehouse A, Shu Q, Knudsen I. Immunotoxicological studies of genetically modified rice expressing PHA-E lectin or Bt toxin in Wistar rats. Toxicology 2007; 245:24-34. [PMID: 18215453 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2007.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2007] [Revised: 11/30/2007] [Accepted: 12/07/2007] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
As part of the SAFOTEST project the immunmodulating effect of Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and PHA-E lectin from kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin) was examined in 28- and 90-day feeding studies in Wistar rats. PHA-E lectin was chosen as positive control. Rats were fed control rice, transgenic rice expressing Cry1Ab protein or PHA-E lectin, or transgenic rice spiked with the purified recombinant protein. Total immunoglobulin levels, mitogen-induced cell proliferation, T-dependent antibody response to sheep red blood cells and the antigen-specific antibody response in serum were examined at the end of the studies. A dose-dependent increase in mesenteric lymph node weight and total immunoglobulin A was seen when feeding PHA-E transgenic rice alone or spiked with 0.1% purified PHA-E lectin for 90 days indicating a local effect of PHA-E in the intestine. No adverse effects of Cry1Ab protein were found. An anti-PHA-E and anti-Cry1Ab antibody response was induced both after inhalation (control groups) and after inhalation/ingestion (groups fed recombinant protein alone or together with transgenic rice). In conclusion, only PHA-E lectin was found to have an immunomodulating effect when feeding rats for 90 days with approximately 70 mg PHA-E/kg bodyweight per day. As both PHA-E lectin and Cry1Ab protein were capable of inducing an antigen-specific antibody response it is important to make careful considerations when designing future animal studies to avoid intake of proteins from the other groups by inhalation as well as to examine the sensitization and elicitation potential of 'foreign' proteins before introduction to the world market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Kroghsbo
- Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark.
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Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms on an application (reference EFSA-GMO-UK-2004-04) for the placing on the market of glufosinate tolerant genetically modified rice LLRICE62 for food and feed uses, import and processing, und. EFSA J 2007. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2007.588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Schrøder M, Poulsen M, Wilcks A, Kroghsbo S, Miller A, Frenzel T, Danier J, Rychlik M, Emami K, Gatehouse A, Shu Q, Engel KH, Altosaar I, Knudsen I. A 90-day safety study of genetically modified rice expressing Cry1Ab protein (Bacillus thuringiensis toxin) in Wistar rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 45:339-49. [PMID: 17050059 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2006.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2005] [Revised: 08/31/2006] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An animal model for safety assessment of genetically modified foods was tested as part of the SAFOTEST project. In a 90-day feeding study on Wistar rats, the transgenic KMD1 rice expressing Cry1Ab protein was compared to its non-transgenic parental wild type, Xiushui 11. The KMD1 rice contained 15mg Bt toxin/kg and based on the average feed consumption the daily intake was 0.54mg Bt toxin/kg body weight. No adverse effects on animal behaviour or weight gain were observed during the study. Blood samples collected one week prior to sacrifice were analyzed and compared for standard haematological and biochemical parameters. A few parameters were significantly different, but all within the normal reference intervals for rats of this breed and age and not in relation to any other findings, thus not considered treatment related. Upon sacrifice a large number of organs were weighed, macroscopic and histopathological examinations were performed with only minor changes to report. The aim of the study was to use a known animal model in performance of safety assessment of a GM crop, in this case KMD1 rice. The results show no adverse or toxic effects of KMD1 rice when tested in the design used in this 90-day study. Nevertheless the experiences from this study lead to the overall conclusion that safety assessment for unintended effects of a GM crop cannot be done without additional test group(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Schrøder
- Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark
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