Glyphosate has proven to be genotoxic to people such findings should not be
ignored by regulators in USA, Canada and EU
Arch Toxicol. 2012 Feb 14. [Epub ahead of print]
Cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties of glyphosate and Roundup in
human-derived buccal epithelial cells.
Koller VJ, Fürhacker M, Nersesyan A, Mišík M, Eisenbauer M, Knasmueller S.
Abstract
Glyphosate (G) is the largest selling herbicide worldwide; the most common
formulations (Roundup, R) contain polyoxyethyleneamine as main surfactant.
Recent findings indicate that G exposure may cause DNA damage and cancer in
humans. Aim of this investigation was to study the cytotoxic and genotoxic
properties of G and R (UltraMax) in a buccal epithelial cell line (TR146),
as workers are exposed via inhalation to the herbicide. R induced acute
cytotoxic effects at concentrations >40 mg/l after 20 min, which were due to
membrane damage and impairment of mitochondrial functions. With G, increased
release of extracellular lactate dehydrogenase indicative for membrane
damage was observed at doses >80 mg/l. Both G and R induced DNA migration in
single-cell gel electrophoresis assays at doses >20 mg/l. Furthermore, an
increase of nuclear aberrations that reflect DNA damage was observed. The
frequencies of micronuclei and nuclear buds were elevated after 20-min
exposure to 10-20 mg/l, while nucleoplasmatic bridges were only enhanced by
R at the highest dose (20 mg/l). R was under all conditions more active than
its active principle (G). Comparisons with results of earlier studies with
lymphocytes and cells from internal organs indicate that epithelial cells
are more susceptible to the cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties of the
herbicide and its formulation. Since we found genotoxic effects after short
exposure to concentrations that correspond to a 450-fold dilution of
spraying used in agriculture, our findings indicate that inhalation may
cause DNA damage in exposed individuals.
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