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Walsh L, Hill C, Ross RP. Impact of glyphosate (Roundup TM) on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome. Gut Microbes 2023; 15:2263935. [PMID: 38099711 PMCID: PMC10561581 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2263935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the broad-spectrum herbicide RoundupTM, has been a topic of discussion for decades due to contradictory reports of the effect of glyphosate on human health. Glyphosate inhibits the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) of the shikimic pathway producing aromatic amino acids in plants, a mechanism that suggests that the herbicide would not affect humans as this pathway is not found in mammals. However, numerous studies have implicated glyphosate exposure in the manifestation of a variety of disorders in the human body. This review specifically outlines the potential effect of glyphosate exposure on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome. Evidence has been building behind the hypothesis that the composition of each individual gut microbiota significantly impacts health. For this reason, the potential of glyphosate to inhibit the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut or alter their functionality is an important topic that warrants further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Walsh
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Colin Hill
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - R. Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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2
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Muñoz JP, Silva-Pavez E, Carrillo-Beltrán D, Calaf GM. Occurrence and exposure assessment of glyphosate in the environment and its impact on human beings. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:116201. [PMID: 37209985 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116201] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum and one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, which has led to its high environmental dissemination. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that glyphosate was a probable human carcinogen. Since then, several studies have provided new data about the environmental exposure of glyphosate and its consequences on human health. Thus, the carcinogenic effects of glyphosate are still under debate. This work aimed to review glyphosate occurrence and exposure since 2015 up to date, considering studies associated with either environmental or occupational exposure and the epidemiological assessment of cancer risk in humans. These articles showed that herbicide residues were detectable in all spheres of the earth and studies on the population showed an increase in the concentration of glyphosate in biofluids, both in the general population and in the occupationally exposed population. However, the epidemiological studies under review provided limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of glyphosate, which was consistent with the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification as a probable carcinogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Muñoz
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000000, Chile.
| | - Eduardo Silva-Pavez
- Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de La Rehabilitación, Universidad San Sebastián, Bellavista, Santiago, Chile
| | - Diego Carrillo-Beltrán
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, 5090000, Chile
| | - Gloria M Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica 1000000, Chile
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3
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The role of surface activity on the amyloid fibrillation pathway of bovine serum albumin upon interaction with glyphosate. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:1166-1177. [PMID: 36427623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.230] [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: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
As an active ingredient in its derivative products, glyphosate has emerged as the most widespread herbicide in recent decades. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein may be adversely affected by structural changes due to binding affinity with glyphosate, which may lead to dysfunctionality or metabolic disorders. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of glyphosate with BSA and its thermal fibrillation pathway employing techniques such as dynamic surface tension, fluorescence quenching, ThT binding, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement, as well as molecular dynamics (MD) studies. The adsorption dynamic analysis suggested hydrophobic moiety at higher concentrations of glyphosate upon interaction with BSA. MD results suggested a slight fluctuation due to glyphosate interaction with protein molecules. The carboxy group presented in glyphosate made a hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl group of TYR147. The fluorescence quenching and diffusion studies approved BSA's increased unfolding and hydrophobicity resulting from glyphosate interaction, which would induce fibrillation/aggregation, according to our fibrillation kinetics data. The surface activity of glyphosate at higher concentrations and its approved involvement in structural changes of BSA through hydrogen bonding may raise concerns about its potential side effect on farm animals and the food cycle.
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Torre E, Amarante P. Saúde mental, direitos humanos e justiça ambiental: a ‘quimicalização da vida’ como uma questão de violação de direitos humanos decorrente da intoxicação institucionalizada. SAÚDE EM DEBATE 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/0103-11042022e222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Este trabalho tematiza o problema das consequências sociossanitárias e ambientais do círculo vicioso que liga violação de direitos humanos, insegurança alimentar e intoxicação institucionalizada, principalmente em relação aos efeitos sobre a saúde mental decorrentes dos contaminantes ambientais e dos agrotóxicos. O modelo predatório do capitalismo pós-industrial nasceu vinculado a fatores centrais, como: a agricultura químico-dependente, a medicalização social e a transição nutricional, associadas à mercantilização perversa dos recursos naturais. A expansão de monoculturas de larga escala com uso de agrotóxicos e outros contaminantes ambientais, a expansão da indústria farmacêutica e da tecnificação médica, e a expansão do modelo de alimentação industrial aditivada são consequências associadas a esses fatores que estão interligados. Além disso, esse processo é estimulado e reproduzido de forma institucionalizada e legalizada e vem produzindo múltiplas violações de direitos humanos e o aprofundamento de diversas formas de intoxicação e adoecimento: esse modelo pode ser denominado de ‘paradigma da quimicalização da vida’.
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de Andrade JC, Galvan D, Effting L, Tessaro L, Aquino A, Conte-Junior CA. Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables from Brazil: A Systematic Review of Sample Preparation Until Post-Harvest. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2021; 53:1174-1196. [PMID: 34908509 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2021.2013157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Brazil annually produces around 43 million tons of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, large amounts of pesticides are needed to grow these foods. The use of unauthorized or indiscriminate pesticides can lead to the adherence of residues of these compounds to the product in a concentration above the maximum residue limit (MRL). Pesticide residues (PRs) monitoring is a continuous challenge due to several factors influencing the detection of these compounds in the food matrix. Currently, several adaptations to conventional techniques have been developed to minimize these problems. This systematic review presents the main information obtained from 52 research articles, taken from five databases, on changes and advances in Brazil in sample preparation methods for determining PRs in fruits and vegetables in the last nine years. We cover the preexisting ones and some others that might be suitable alternatives approaches. In addition, we present a brief discussion on the monitoring of PRs in different Brazilian regions, and we found that residues belonging to the organophosphate and pyrethroid classes were detected more frequently. Approximately 67% of the residues detected are of irregular use in 28 types of fruits and vegetables commonly consumed and exported by Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelmir Craveiro de Andrade
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nanotechnology Network, Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diego Galvan
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nanotechnology Network, Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciane Effting
- Chemistry Department, State University of Londrina (UEL), Londrina, Brazil
| | - Letícia Tessaro
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nanotechnology Network, Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Adriano Aquino
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nanotechnology Network, Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Adam Conte-Junior
- Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Advanced Analysis in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (LAABBM), Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nanotechnology Network, Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Chemistry (PGQu), Institute of Chemistry (IQ), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Hu J, Lesseur C, Miao Y, Manservisi F, Panzacchi S, Mandrioli D, Belpoggi F, Chen J, Petrick L. Low-dose exposure of glyphosate-based herbicides disrupt the urine metabolome and its interaction with gut microbiota. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3265. [PMID: 33547360 PMCID: PMC7864973 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82552-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) can disrupt the host microbiota and influence human health. In this study, we explored the potential effects of GBHs on urinary metabolites and their interactions with gut microbiome using a rodent model. Glyphosate and Roundup (equal molar for glyphosate) were administered at the USA glyphosate ADI guideline (1.75 mg/kg bw/day) to the dams and their pups. The urine metabolites were profiled using non-targeted liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Our results found that overall urine metabolite profiles significantly differed between dams and pups and between female and male pups. Specifically, we identified a significant increase of homocysteine, a known risk factor of cardiovascular disease in both Roundup and glyphosate exposed pups, but in males only. Correlation network analysis between gut microbiome and urine metabolome pointed to Prevotella to be negatively correlated with the level of homocysteine. Our study provides initial evidence that exposures to commonly used GBH, at a currently acceptable human exposure dose, is capable of modifying urine metabolites in both rat adults and pups. The link between Prevotella-homocysteine suggests the potential role of GBHs in modifying the susceptibility of homocysteine, which is a metabolite that has been dysregulated in related diseases like cardiovascular disease or inflammation, through commensal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu Miao
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fabiana Manservisi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center (CMCRC), Ramazzini Institute (RI), Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Panzacchi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center (CMCRC), Ramazzini Institute (RI), Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniele Mandrioli
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center (CMCRC), Ramazzini Institute (RI), Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fiorella Belpoggi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center (CMCRC), Ramazzini Institute (RI), Bentivoglio, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Petrick
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, USA.
- Institute for Exposomics Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Patel S, Sangeeta S. Pesticides as the drivers of neuropsychotic diseases, cancers, and teratogenicity among agro-workers as well as general public. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:91-100. [PMID: 30411285 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3642-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The need to maximize agricultural productivity has made pesticides an indispensable part of current times. Farmers are unaware of the lurking consequences of the pesticide exposure, which endanger their health. It also puts the unsuspecting consumers in peril. The pesticides (from organophosphates, organochlorine, and carbamate class) disrupt the immune and hormonal signaling, causing recurrent inflammation, which leads to a wide array pathologies, including teratogenicity. Numerous farmers have fallen victim to neural disorders-driven suicides and lungs, prostate/breast cancer-caused untimely deaths. Green revolution which significantly escalated agricultural productivity is backfiring now. It is high time that environmental and agricultural authorities act to restrain the excessive usage of the detrimental chemicals and educate farmers regarding the crisis. This review discusses the biological mechanisms of pesticide-driven pathogenesis (such as the activation or inhibition of caspase, serine protease, acetylcholinesterase) and presents the pesticide-exposure-caused health deterioration in USA, India, and Africa. This holistic and critical review should be an eye-opener for general public, and a guide for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Patel
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics Research Center, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
| | - Sushree Sangeeta
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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8
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Farkas E, Szekacs A, Kovacs B, Olah M, Horvath R, Szekacs I. Label-free optical biosensor for real-time monitoring the cytotoxicity of xenobiotics: A proof of principle study on glyphosate. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 351:80-89. [PMID: 29518655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and inexpensive biosensor technologies allowing real-time analysis of biomolecular and cellular events have become the basis of next-generation cell-based screening techniques. Our work opens up novel opportunities in the application of the high-throughput label-free Epic BenchTop optical biosensor in cell toxicity studies. The Epic technology records integrated cellular responses about changes in cell morphology and dynamic mass redistribution of cellular contents at the 100-150 nm layer above the sensor surface. The aim of the present study was to apply this novel technology to identify the effect of the herbicide Roundup Classic, its co-formulant polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA), and its active ingredient glyphosate, on MC3T3-E1 cells adhered on the biosensor surface. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations of Roundup Classic, POEA and glyphosate upon 1 h of exposure were found to be 0.024%, 0.021% and 0.163% in serum-containing medium and 0.028%, 0.019% and 0.538% in serum-free conditions, respectively (at concentrations equivalent to the diluted Roundup solution). These results showed a good correlation with parallel end-point assays, demonstrating the outstanding utility of the Epic technique in cytotoxicity screening, allowing not only high-throughput, real-time detection, but also reduced assay run time and cytotoxicity assessment at end-points far before cell death would occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eniko Farkas
- Nanobiosensorics Momentum Group, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly-Thege M. út 29-33, H-1120 Budapest, Hungary; Subdoctoral School of Molecular and Nanotechnologies, Chemical Engineering and Material Science Doctoral School, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u.10, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Andras Szekacs
- Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Herman Ottó u. 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Boglarka Kovacs
- Nanobiosensorics Momentum Group, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly-Thege M. út 29-33, H-1120 Budapest, Hungary; Subdoctoral School of Molecular and Nanotechnologies, Chemical Engineering and Material Science Doctoral School, University of Pannonia, Egyetem u.10, H-8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Marianna Olah
- Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Herman Ottó u. 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary; Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Páter K. u.1, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Robert Horvath
- Nanobiosensorics Momentum Group, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly-Thege M. út 29-33, H-1120 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Inna Szekacs
- Nanobiosensorics Momentum Group, Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science, Centre for Energy Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Konkoly-Thege M. út 29-33, H-1120 Budapest, Hungary.
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9
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Waye MMY, Cheng HY. Genetics and epigenetics of autism: A Review. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2018; 72:228-244. [PMID: 28941239 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a developmental disorder that starts before age 3 years, and children with autism have impairment in both social interaction and communication, and have restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. There is a strong heritable component of autism and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as studies have shown that parents who have a child with ASD have a 2-18% chance of having a second child with ASD. The prevalence of autism and ASD have been increasing during the last 3 decades and much research has been carried out to understand the etiology, so as to develop novel preventive and treatment strategies. This review aims at summarizing the latest research studies related to autism and ASD, focusing not only on the genetics but also some epigenetic findings of autism/ASD. Some promising areas of research using transgenic/knockout animals and some ideas related to potential novel treatment and prevention strategies will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Y Waye
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Croucher Laboratory for Human Genomics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ho Yu Cheng
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Croucher Laboratory for Human Genomics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Mesnage R, Antoniou MN. Facts and Fallacies in the Debate on Glyphosate Toxicity. Front Public Health 2017; 5:316. [PMID: 29226121 PMCID: PMC5705608 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The safety profile of the herbicide glyphosate and its commercial formulations is controversial. Reviews have been published by individuals who are consultants and employees of companies commercializing glyphosate-based herbicides in support of glyphosate's reapproval by regulatory agencies. These authors conclude that glyphosate is safe at levels below regulatory permissible limits. In contrast, reviews conducted by academic scientists independent of industry report toxic effects below regulatory limits, as well as shortcomings of the current regulatory evaluation of risks associated with glyphosate exposures. Two authors in particular (Samsel and Seneff) have published a series of commentaries proposing that long-term exposure to glyphosate is responsible for many chronic diseases (including cancers, diabetes, neuropathies, obesity, asthma, infections, osteoporosis, infertility, and birth defects). The aim of this review is to examine the evidential basis for these claimed negative health effects and the mechanisms that are alleged to be at their basis. We found that these authors inappropriately employ a deductive reasoning approach based on syllogism. We found that their conclusions are not supported by the available scientific evidence. Thus, the mechanisms and vast range of conditions proposed to result from glyphosate toxicity presented by Samsel and Seneff in their commentaries are at best unsubstantiated theories, speculations, or simply incorrect. This misrepresentation of glyphosate's toxicity misleads the public, the scientific community, and regulators. Although evidence exists that glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic below regulatory set safety limits, the arguments of Samsel and Seneff largely serve to distract rather than to give a rational direction to much needed future research investigating the toxicity of these pesticides, especially at levels of ingestion that are typical for human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Mesnage
- Gene Expression and Therapy Group, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael N Antoniou
- Gene Expression and Therapy Group, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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