Evaluation of biochemical, hematological and oxidative parameters in mice exposed to the herbicide glyphosate-Roundup®

Abstract

We evaluated the toxicity of hepatic, hematological, and oxidative effects of glyphosate-Roundup® on male and female albino Swiss mice. The animals were treated orally with either 50 or 500 mg/kg body weight of the herbicide, on a daily basis for a period of 15 days. Distilled water was used as control treatment. Samples of blood and hepatic tissue were collected at the end of the treatment. Hepatotoxicity was monitored by quantitative analysis of the serum enzymes ALT, AST, and γ-GT and renal toxicity by urea and creatinine. We also investigated liver tissues histopathologically. Alterations of hematological parameters were monitored by RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and NPSH (non-protein thiols) were analyzed in the liver to assess oxidative damage. Significant increases in the levels of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, and γ-GT) were observed for both herbicide treatments, but no considerable differences were found by histological analysis. The hematological parameters showed significant alterations (500 mg/kg body weight) with reductions of RBC, hematocrit, and hemoglobin, together with a significant increase of MCV, in both sexes of mice. In males, there was an important increase in lipid peroxidation at both dosage levels, together with an NPSH decrease in the hepatic tissue, whereas in females significant changes in these parameters were observed only at the higher dose rate. The results of this study indicate that glyphosate-Roundup® can promote hematological and hepatic alterations, even at subacute exposure, which could be related to the induction of reactive oxygen species.

Potential toxic effects of glyphosate and its commercial formulations below regulatory limits

“…Tumor promoting potential of G on 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene initiated skin carcinogenesis, No initiating potential (Jasper et al, 2012) Swiss (F and M) R 15d 50 or 500…”

The role of L-type amino acid transporters in the uptake of glyphosate across mammalian epithelial tissues

“…Many commercial products containing glyphosate as the active ingredient have been used worldwide due to their effectiveness and relatively low toxicity to humans and other animals (Jasper et al, 2012). As an herbicide, glyphosate inhibits the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme, which acts in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and of shikimic acid.…”

Exposure of C. elegans eggs to a glyphosate-containing herbicide leads to abnormal neuronal morphology

“…With the increased use of glyphosate-containing herbicides, such as Touchdown ® (TD; Syngenta) and Roundup ® (Monsanto), many current studies are finally beginning to examine the potential toxicity of the commercially available formulations, and not just the active ingredient or the putative surfactants and associated vehicle(s) [14,32,38]. Using C. elegans as a model organism, our lab has focused on the potential neurotoxicity of TD, as obtainable by industrial and household pesticide applicators [45,46].…”