title: Cytotoxic and DNA-damaging properties of glyphosate and Roundup in human-derived buccal epithelial cells.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 1, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschkegasse 8A, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Verena J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fürhacker
authors.forename: Armen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nersesyan
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mišík
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eisenbauer
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knasmueller
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002610:Cheek; D004249:DNA Damage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D000097797:Glyphosate
chemical_list: D005998:Glycine; D006540:Herbicides; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D000097797:Glyphosate