Involvement of glyphosate in disruption of biotransformation P450 enzymes and hepatic lipid metabolism in chicken

The current study investigated the potentially harmful consequences of pure glyphosate or Roundup® on CYP family members and lipid metabolism in newly hatched chicks. On the sixth day, 225 fertilized eggs were randomly divided into three treatments: (1) the control group injected with deionized water, (2) the glyphosate group injected with 10 mg pure glyphosate/Kg egg mass and (3) the Roundup group injected 10 mg the active ingredient glyphosate in Roundup®/Kg egg. The results of the study revealed a reduction in hatchability in chicks treated with Roundup®. Moreover, change of Lipid concentration in serum and the liver-treated groups. Additionally, increased liver function enzymes and increased oxidative stress in the glyphosate and Roundup® groups. Furthermore, liver tissues showed histological changes and several lipid deposits in glyphosate-treated groups. Hepatic CYP1A2 and CYP1A4 expressions were significantly increased (p < .05) after glyphosate exposure, and suppression of CYP1C1 mRNA expression was significant (p < .05) after Roundup® exposure. The pro-inflammatory cytokines genes IFN-γ and IL-1β expression were significantly increased (p < .05) after Roundup® exposure. In addition, there were significant differences in the levels of expression genes which are related to lipid synthesis or catabolism in the liver. In conclusion, in ovo glyphosate exposure caused disruption of biotransformation, pro-inflammatory and lipid metabolism in chicks.

Determination of acute oral toxicity of glyphosate isopropylamine salt in rats

In this study, we aim to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) of glyphosate isopropylamine salt (GI), which is commonly used in the world and especially in Turkey against to weeds, in male and female rats by using the probit or logit analysis method. A total of 140 Wistar rats were used, including 70 females and 70 males. To determine LD50, the male and female rats were randomized into 7 groups made up of 10 animals in each group. At doses of 6000, 6500, 7000, 7500, 8000, 8500, and 9000 mg / kg, GI was administered to the male and female rats by oral gavage. After dosing, the animals were periodically monitored for 14 days. No deaths were observed after 48 h of herbicide application. In this study, only logit analysis was used for the LD50 value to be calculated in the male rats within 24 h, while other analyses were carried out with the probit method. In the female and male rats, the LD50 levels of GI between 24 and 48 h were determined as 7444.26-7878.50 mg/kg and 7203.58-7397.25 mg/kg, respectively. According to these results, it was concluded that female rats are more sensitive to GI than male rats. We believe that the findings that were obtained will guide researchers, clinicians, and toxicologists through preventive and curative studies against acute poisoning that may occur with GI.

Disruption of cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver and small intestine in chicken embryos in ovo exposed to glyphosate

Glyphosate is the active component of several commercial formulations as in Roundup®. The present study was investigated the toxic effects of pure glyphosate or Roundup® on the liver and small intestine of chick embryos. On day 6, a total of 180 fertile eggs injected with deionized water (control group), 10 mg pure glyphosate, or 10 mg of the active ingredient glyphosate in Roundup®/kg egg mass. The results showed an increase in relative weights of the liver in embryos that treated with Roundup®. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the embryos treated with glyphosate or Roundup®, increased total superoxide dismutase, and content of malondialdehyde in the liver and intestine; moreover, decrease of glutathione peroxidase in the liver with increased in the intestine compared with the control. Besides, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase was increased in Roundup® group compared with other groups. Moreover, histopathological alterations in the liver and intestine tissues were observed in treated groups. Suppression of hepatic CYP1A2, CYP1A4, CYP1B1, and MDR1 mRNA expression after exposed to Roundup®. Furthermore, inhibition of CYP1A4 in the duodenum, CYP1A4, and MRP2 in the jejunum in embryos exposed to glyphosate or Roundup®. In addition, glyphosate treatment caused an increase of CYP3A5, CYP1C1, and IFNY mRNA expression in the jejunum and CYP1A2 expression in the ileum, while IFN-Y gene increase in embryos treated with Roundup®. In conclusion, in ovo exposure to glyphosate caused histopathological alterations and induced oxidative stress in the liver and small intestines. Moreover, the expression of cytochrome P450, MDR1, and MRP2 transporters was also modulated in the liver and small intestines for chick embryos.

Effect of in ovo glyphosate injection on embryonic development, serum biochemistry, antioxidant status and histopathological changes in newly hatched chicks

This study aimed to investigate the potential toxic effects of pure glyphosate or Roundup^® on hatchability, serum biochemistry and histopathological observation of the liver and kidney of newly hatched chicks. On day six, a total of 225 fertile eggs were obtained from Huafeng breeder hens. The eggs were randomly divided into three treatments: (a) the control group injected with deionized water, (b) the glyphosate group injected 10 mg pure glyphosate/Kg egg mass and (c) the Roundup group injected 10 mg the active ingredient glyphosate in Roundup^® /Kg egg. The results showed a decrease of hatchability rate in chicks treated with Roundup^® (66%). In addition, no significant change was observed in body weights, yolk sac weight and relative weight organs except the liver and kidney were significantly increased with groups treated with glyphosate and Roundup^® compared to the control group. The results showed that serum protein profiles were linearly significantly increased of serum phosphor, uric acid, aspirate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in groups treated with Roundup^® , as well as the serum concentrations of triglyceride altered after treatment with glyphosate. Furthermore, oxidative stress was observed in the treated chicks, the glyphosate and Roundup^® induced changes of the content of malondialdehyde in both the liver and kidney, moreover decrease of glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in the kidney tissue and serum. Additionally, changes also happened in the histomorphology of the liver and kidney tissue of the treated chicks. It can be concluded that Roundup^® as a probable decrease of hatchability. Exposure to glyphosate alone or Roundup^® caused liver and kidney histopathological alterations, serum parameters imbalances and oxidative stress, also induced a variety of liver and kidney biochemical alterations that might impair normal organ functioning in newly hatched chicks.

Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine against subchronic oral glyphosate-based herbicide-induced oxidative stress in rats

It is claimed that oxidative stress has a prominent role in the mechanism of toxic effects formed by glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) in living systems. A strong thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has antioxidative and cytoprotective properties. The objective in this subchronic toxicity study was to identify the prophylactic effect of NAC over histopathological changes and oxidative stress induced by GBH in blood, renal, liver, cardiac, and brain tissues. A sum of 28 male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups, each containing 7 rats. During the study, group I (control group) was supplied with normal rodent bait and tap water ad libitum. The applied agents were 160 mg/kg NAC to group II, 375 mg/kg as equivalent to 1/10 of lethal dose 50% (LD50) of GBH to group III, and 160 mg/kg of NAC and 375 mg/kg of GBH together once per day as oral gavage to group IV for 8 weeks. While GBH decreased the levels of GSH in blood, liver, kidney, and brain tissues, it considerably increased malondialdehyde levels. On the contrary, these parameters happened to improve in the group supplied with NAC. Besides, it was seen that NAC was observed to improve the histopathologic changes in rat tissues induced by GBH. It was concluded that NAC protects oxidative stress and tissue damage induced by GBH in blood and tissue and this prophylactic effect could be attributed to its antioxidant and free radical sweeper character.

Protective effects of resveratrol on biomarkers of oxidative stress, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by sub-chronic oral glyphosate-based herbicide in rats

The aim of this sub-chronic toxicity study is to determine the protective effects of Resveratrol (Res) on oxidative stress, biochemical and histopathological changes induced by glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) in the blood, brain, heart, liver and renal tissues. A total of 28 male Wistar rats were equally divided into 4 groups so that each group included 7 rats. In the study, Group I (control group) was given normal rodent feed and tap water ad libitum. Group II (Res group) was given Res 20 mg kg-1, Group III (GBH group) was given GBH of 375 mg kg-1 to achieve 1/10 of Lethal Dose 50% (LD50), and Group IV (Res + GBH) was given Res 20 mg kg-1 and GBH 375 mg kg-1 with oral gavage once a day for 8 weeks. While GBH decreased the glutathione (GSH) levels in the blood, brain, heart, liver and renal tissues, it significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In contrast, the aforementioned parameters were seen to recover in the group to which Res was administered. Moreover, it was observed that Res improved the histopathological changes induced by GBH in rat tissues. In conclusion, Res prevents oxidative stress caused by GBH by preventing lipid peroxidation (LPO) and boosting the antioxidant defense system and decreases the damage in the brain, heart, liver and renal tissues of Wistar rats.

Oxidative stress, cholinesterase activity, and DNA damage in the liver, whole blood, and plasma of Wistar rats following a 28-day exposure to glyphosate

In this 28 day-study, we evaluated the effects of herbicide glyphosate administered by gavage to Wistar rats at daily doses equivalent to 0.1 of the acceptable operator exposure level (AOEL), 0.5 of the consumer acceptable daily intake (ADI), 1.75 (corresponding to the chronic population-adjusted dose, cPAD), and 10 mg kg-1 body weight (bw) (corresponding to 100 times the AOEL). At the end of each treatment, the body and liver weights were measured and compared with their baseline values. DNA damage in leukocytes and liver tissue was estimated with the alkaline comet assay. Oxidative stress was evaluated using a battery of endpoints to establish lipid peroxidation via thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) level, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) level, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Total cholinesterase activity and the activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were also measured. The exposed animals gained less weight than control. Treatment resulted in significantly higher primary DNA damage in the liver cells and leukocytes. Glyphosate exposure significantly lowered TBARS in the liver of the AOEL, ADI, and cPAD groups, and in plasma in the AOEL and cPAD group. AChE was inhibited with all treatments, but the AOEL and ADI groups significantly differed from control. Total ChE and plasma/liver ROS/GSH levels did not significantly differ from control, except for the 35 % decrease in ChE in the AOEL and ADI groups and a significant drop in liver GSH in the cPAD and 100xAOEL groups. AOEL and ADI blood GSH-Px activity dropped significantly, but in the liver it significantly increased in the ADI, cPAD, and 100xAOEL groups vs. control. All these findings show that even exposure to low glyphosate levels can have serious adverse effects and points to a need to change the approach to risk assessment of low-level chronic/sub-chronic glyphosate exposure, where oxidative stress is not necessarily related to the genetic damage and AChE inhibition.