Journal or Publishing Institution: Toxicology in Vitro
Study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887233312002883
Author(s): Kim, Y.H., Hong, J.R., Gil, H.W., Song, H.Y. and Hong, S.Y.
Article Type: Peer Reviewed Study
Record ID: 1229
Abstract: Glyphosate, a common herbicide, is not toxic under normal exposure circumstances. However, this chemical, when combined with a surfactant, is cytotoxic. In this study, the mechanism of the additive effect of glyphosate and TN-20, a common surfactant in glyphosate herbicides, was investigated. After exposure of rat H9c2 cells to glyphosate and TN-20 mixtures, following assays were performed: flow cytometry to determine the proportion of cells that underwent apoptosis and necrosis; western blotting to determine expression of mitochondrial proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax); immunological methods to evaluate translocation of cytochrome C; luminometric measurements to determine activity of caspases 3/7 and 9; and tetramethyl rhodamine methyl ester assay to measure mitochondrial membrane potentials. Bcl-1 intensity decreased while Bax intensity increased with exposure to increasing TN-20 and/or glyphosate concentrations. Caspase activity increased and mitochondrial membrane potential decreased only when the cells were exposed to a mixture of both TN-20 and glyphosate, but not after exposure to either one of these compounds. The results support the possibility that mixtures of glyphosate and TN-20 aggravate mitochondrial damage and induce apoptosis and necrosis. Throughout this process, TN-20 seems to disrupt the integrity of the cellular barrier to glyphosate uptake, promoting glyphosate-mediated toxicity.
Keywords: Glyphosate, Surfactant, Mitochondrial damage, Apoptosis, Necrosis, Rat, Rodent, Rats, Rodents
Citation: Kim, Y.H., Hong, J.R., Gil, H.W., Song, H.Y. and Hong, S.Y., 2013. Mixtures of glyphosate and surfactant TN20 accelerate cell death via mitochondrial damage-induced apoptosis and necrosis. Toxicology in Vitro, 27(1), pp.191-197.
