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Fang YW, Wang C, Lin CY. Association between urinary glyphosate levels and hand grip strength in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2014. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1352570. [PMID: 38450138 PMCID: PMC10915012 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1352570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Glyphosate, a widely utilized herbicide globally, has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, birth abnormalities, and reproductive issues. Additionally, there is growing experimental support indicating potential harm to skeletal muscles. Despite this, the impact of glyphosate on human muscle health remains unclear. Methods We examined information gathered from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 1466 adults aged 18 or older. Our primary aim was to investigate the relationship between glyphosate exposure and hand grip strength, as well as its influence on lean muscle mass. Results and discussion Our investigation uncovered a detrimental correlation between glyphosate exposure and all measures of grip strength, except for the second test of the first hand. Specifically, we observed a statistically significant adverse association between glyphosate exposure and combined grip strength, which is calculated as the sum of the highest readings from both hands (ß coefficient of -2.000, S.E. = 0.891, p = 0.040). We did not observe a significant correlation between glyphosate levels, lean muscle mass, and the likelihood of reaching maximum grip strength meeting sarcopenia criteria. Additionally, we observed an interaction between age and glyphosate, as well as between body mass index (BMI) and glyphosate, concerning the association with combined grip strength. In this comprehensive analysis of NHANES data, our study reveals a potential association between glyphosate exposure and hand grip strength in the adult population. Our findings suggest the need for deeper exploration into the health effects of glyphosate exposure and its impact on muscle strength, shedding light on possible public health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Wei Fang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - ChiKang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Srivastava A, Srivastava AK, Pandeya A, Pant AB. Pesticide mediated silent neurotoxicity and its unmasking: An update on recent progress. Toxicology 2023; 500:153665. [PMID: 37944577 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153665] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Being human's one of the most protected organs, brain is yet most vulnerable to xenobiotics exposure. Though pesticide-mediated neurotoxicity is well-explored, the fraternity of neurotoxicologists is less focused on the phenomenon of "silent" or "clinically undetectable" neurotoxicity. Silent neurotoxicity defines continual trivial changes in the nervous system that do not manifest any overt signs of toxicity unless unmasked by any natural or experimental event. Although this perception is not novel, insufficient experimental and epidemiological evidence makes it an outlier among toxicological research. A report in 2016 highlighted the need to investigate silent neurotoxicity and its potential challenges. The limited existing experimental data unveiled the unique responsiveness of neurons following silent neurotoxicity unmasking. Concerned studies have shown that low-dose developmental exposure to pesticides sensitizes the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system towards silent neurotoxicity, making it vulnerable to advanced cumulative neurotoxicity following pesticide challenges later in life. Therefore, conducting such studies may explain the precise etiology of pesticide-induced neurological disorders in humans. With no updates on this topic since 2016, this review is an attempt to acquaint the neurotoxicologist with silent neurotoxicity as a serious threat to human health, and proof-of-concept through a narrative using relevant published data so far with future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Srivastava
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Ankur Kumar Srivastava
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
| | - Abhishek Pandeya
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
| | - Aditya Bhushan Pant
- Developmental Toxicology Laboratory, Systems Toxicology & Health Risk Assessment Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Vishvigyan Bhavan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No. 80, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India
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Hsiao CC, Yang AM, Wang C, Lin CY. Association between glyphosate exposure and cognitive function, depression, and neurological diseases in a representative sample of US adults: NHANES 2013-2014 analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116860. [PMID: 37562738 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, has been linked to neurological impairments in some occupational studies. However, the potential neurotoxic effects of glyphosate exposure in the general population are still not fully understood. We conducted analyses on existing data collected from 1532 adults of the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore the possible relationship between glyphosate exposure and cognitive function, depressive symptoms, disability, and neurological medical conditions. Our results showed a significant negative association between urinary glyphosate levels and the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List Memory Test (CERAD-WLT) trial 3 recall and delayed recall scores in both models, with ß coefficients of -0.288 (S.E. = 0.111, P = 0.021) and -0.426 (S.E. = 0.148, P = 0.011), respectively. Furthermore, the odds ratio did not show a significant increase with the severity of depressive symptoms with a one-unit increase in ln-glyphosate levels. However, the odds ratio for severe depressive symptoms was significantly higher than for no symptoms (odds ratio = 4.148 (95% CI = 1.009-17.133), P = 0.049). Notably, the odds ratio showed a significant increase for individuals with serious hearing difficulty (odds ratio = 1.354 (95% CI = 1.018-1.800), P = 0.039) with a one-unit increase in ln-glyphosate levels, but not for other neurological medical conditions. In conclusion, our findings provide the first evidence that glyphosate exposure may be associated with neurological health outcomes in the US adult population. Additional investigation is necessary to understand the potential mechanisms and clinical significance of these correlations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching Chung Hsiao
- Department of Nephrology, New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - An-Ming Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, 237, Taiwan; Department of Healthcare Management, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
| | - ChiKang Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
| | - Chien-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, En Chu Kong Hospital, New Taipei City, 237, Taiwan; Department of Environmental Engineering and Health, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, 242, Taiwan.
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Chang ET, Odo NU, Acquavella JF. Systematic literature review of the epidemiology of glyphosate and neurological outcomes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:1-26. [PMID: 35604441 PMCID: PMC9823069 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01878-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Human health risk assessments of glyphosate have focused on animal toxicology data for determining neurotoxic potential. Human epidemiological studies have not yet been systematically reviewed for glyphosate neurotoxicity hazard identification. The objective of this systematic literature review was to summarize the available epidemiology of glyphosate exposure and neurological outcomes in humans. METHODS As of December 2021, 25 eligible epidemiological studies of glyphosate exposure and neurological endpoints were identified and assessed for five quality dimensions using guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Studies that assessed personal use of glyphosate were prioritized, whereas those assessing indirect exposure (other than personal use) were rated as low quality, since biomonitoring data indicate that indirect metrics of glyphosate exposure almost always equate to non-detectable glyphosate doses. RESULTS Overall, the scientific evidence on glyphosate and neurotoxicity in humans is sparse and methodologically limited, based on nine included epidemiological studies of neurodegenerative outcomes (two high quality), five studies of neurobehavioral outcomes (two high quality), six studies of neurodevelopmental outcomes (none high quality), and five studies of other and mixed neurological outcomes (one high quality). The five high-quality studies showed no association between glyphosate use and risk of depression, Parkinson disease, or peripheral nerve conduction velocity. Results were mixed among the eight moderate-quality studies, which did not demonstrate consistent associations with any neurological endpoints or categories. Low-quality studies were considered uninformative about possible neurotoxic effects due primarily to questionable assessments of indirect exposure. CONCLUSIONS No association has been demonstrated between glyphosate and any neurological outcomes in humans. To move the state of science forward, epidemiological studies should focus on scenarios involving direct and frequent use of glyphosate while collecting information on validated health outcomes, concomitant agricultural exposures, and relevant personal characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen T Chang
- Center for Health Sciences, Exponent, Inc., 149 Commonwealth Dr, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Nnaemeka U Odo
- Center for Health Sciences, Exponent, Inc., Oakland, CA, USA
| | - John F Acquavella
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
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Shrestha S, Parks CG, Umbach DM, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Blair A, Sandler DP. Use of permethrin and other pyrethroids and mortality in the Agricultural Health Study. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:664-672. [PMID: 35688626 PMCID: PMC10368161 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-108156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pyrethroid insecticides have been linked with multiple health outcomes. One study reported an association with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Given the widespread use of pyrethroids, these findings warrant confirmation. We explored associations of permethrin/pyrethroid use with overall and cause-specific mortality among 50 665 licensed pesticide applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS At enrolment (1993-1997), participants self-reported information on permethrin/pyrethroid use. Information on causes of death came from linkage with death registries through 2016. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate HRs and 95% CIs with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Over an average 21 years of follow-up, 19.6% (9,955) of the cohort died. We found no clear evidence that ever-use of permethrin/pyrethroid was associated with elevated overall mortality or with mortality from most causes examined. There was suggestive evidence, based on a small number of deaths among those exposed, for elevated pyrethroid-associated mortality from some neurological, respiratory and genitourinary diseases in the overall sample and from lung cancer among never-smokers. CONCLUSION Although based on mortality, which is also affected by survival, rather than incidence, these findings are biologically plausible, and future investigations in other populations may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Shrestha
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christine G Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - David M Umbach
- Biostatistics and Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jonathan N Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura E Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Aaron Blair
- Formerly of Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Dale P Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Burns CJ, LaKind JS. Elements to increase translation in pyrethroid epidemiology research: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152568. [PMID: 34954171 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Pyrethroid insecticides have been the subject of numerous epidemiology studies in the past two decades. We examined the pyrethroids epidemiology literature published between 2016 and 2021. Our objective with this exercise was to inform interested readers regarding information on methodological elements that strengthen a study's use for translation (i.e., use in risk assessment) and to describe aspects of future research methods that could improve utility for decision-making. We focused on the following elements: (i) study design that provided evidence that pyrethroid exposure preceded the outcome, (ii) evidence that the method used for exposure characterization was reliable and sufficiently accurate for the intended purpose, and (iii) use of a robust approach for outcome ascertainment. For each of the 74 studies identified via the literature search, we categorized the methodological elements as Acceptable or Supplemental. A study with three Acceptable elements was considered Relevant for risk assessment purposes. Based on our evaluative approach, 18 (24%) of the 74 publications were considered to be Relevant. These publications were categorized as Acceptable for all three elements assessed: confirmed exposure (N = 24), confirmed outcome (N = 64), exposure preceded the outcome (N = 44). Three of these studies were birth cohorts. There were 15 Relevant publications of adults which included 10 Agricultural Health Study cohort publications of self-reported permethrin. Overall, the majority of the reviewed studies used methods that did not permit a determination that pyrethroid exposure preceded the outcome, and/or did not utilize robust methods for exposure assessment and outcome ascertainment. There is an opportunity for investigators and research sponsors to build on the studies reviewed here and to incorporate more translational approaches to studying exposure/outcome associations related to pesticides and other chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol J Burns
- Burns Epidemiology Consulting, LLC, Sanford, MI 48657, USA.
| | - Judy S LaKind
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Catonsville, MD 21228, USA
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Yuan Y, Shrestha S, Luo Z, Li C, Plassman BL, Parks CG, Hofmann JN, Beane Freeman LE, Sandler DP, Chen H. High Pesticide Exposure Events and Dream‐Enacting Behaviors Among US Farmers. Mov Disord 2022; 37:962-971. [PMID: 35152487 PMCID: PMC9524747 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dream-enacting behavior is a characteristic feature of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, the most specific prodromal marker of synucleinopathies. Pesticide exposure may be associated with dream-enacting behaviors, but epidemiological evidence is limited. OBJECTIVES To examine high pesticide exposure events in relation to dream-enacting behaviors among farmers in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine high pesticide exposure events reported from 1993 to 1997 in relation to dream-enacting behaviors assessed from 2013 to 2015 among 11,248 farmers (age 47 ± 11 years). RESULTS A history of dream-enacting behaviors was reported by 939 (8.3%) farmers. Compared with farmers who did not report any high pesticide exposure event, those who reported were more likely to endorse dream-enacting behaviors 2 decades later (odds ratio = 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.05). The association appeared stronger when there was a long delay in washing with soap and water after the event (2.63 [95% CI, 1.62-4.27] for waiting >6 hours vs. 1.71 [95% CI, 1.36-2.15] for washing within 30 minutes) and when the exposure involved the respiratory or digestive tract (2.04 [95% CI, 1.62-2.57] vs. 1.58 [95% CI, 1.29-1.93] for dermal contact only). In the analyses of specific pesticides involved, we found positive associations with two organochlorine insecticides (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and lindane), four organophosphate insecticides (phorate, ethoprop, terbufos, and parathion), two herbicides (alachlor and paraquat), and fungicides as a group. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first epidemiological evidence that high pesticide exposures may be associated with a higher risk of dream-enacting behaviors. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqun Yuan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Srishti Shrestha
- The Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia Center University of Mississippi Medical Center Jackson Mississippi USA
| | - Zhehui Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Chenxi Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
| | - Brenda L. Plassman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Duke University Medical Center Durham North Carolina USA
| | - Christine G. Parks
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Research Triangle Park North Carolina USA
| | - Jonathan N. Hofmann
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics National Cancer Institute Rockville Maryland USA
| | - Laura E. Beane Freeman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics National Cancer Institute Rockville Maryland USA
| | - Dale P. Sandler
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Research Triangle Park North Carolina USA
| | - Honglei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA
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Environmental triggers of Parkinson's disease - Implications of the Braak and dual-hit hypotheses. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 163:105601. [PMID: 34954321 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) may take decades to develop, during which many risk or protective factors may come into play to initiate the pathogenesis or modify its progression to clinical PD. The lack of understanding of this prodromal phase of PD and the factors involved has been a major hurdle in the study of PD etiology and preventive strategies. Although still controversial, the Braak and dual-hit hypotheses that PD may start peripherally in the olfactory structures and/or the gut provides a theoretical platform to identify the triggers and modifiers of PD prodromal development and progression. This is particularly true for the search of environmental causes of PD as the olfactory structures and gut are the major human mucosal interfaces with the environment. In this review, we lay out our personal views about how the Braak and dual-hit hypotheses may help us search for the environmental triggers and modifiers for PD, summarize available experimental and epidemiological evidence, and discuss research gaps and strategies.
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