Effect of glyphosate on soil microorganisms...is not good.

This new study out just a few weeks ago found, "our data indicate that GBH toxic effects on soil filamentous fungi, and thus potential impairment of soil ecosystems, may occur at doses far below recommended agricultural application rate."

According to Wikipedia, Risosphere is described as, "The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms.  So, this study looked at the effect of glyphosate based herbicides on microbes that were in the areas away from the roots, by looking at a fungus.  Their data showed that the glyphosate based herbicide used in their test actually stimulated the mitochondrial activity.  This mode of action is different that anyone has ever recorded/reported, and at much lower application rates.


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First online: 11 April 2016

Multiple effects of a commercial Roundup® formulation on the soil filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans at low doses: evidence of an unexpected impact on energetic metabolism

• Valérie NicolasAffiliated withUMS-IPSIT, US31 Inserm-UMS3679 CNRS, Plateforme d’Imagerie Cellulaire, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie
• , Nathalie OestreicherAffiliated withLaboratoire VEAC, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des SciencesPôle Risques MRSH-CNRS, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la Paix
• , Christian VélotAffiliated withLaboratoire VEAC, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté des SciencesPôle Risques MRSH-CNRS, Université de Caen, Esplanade de la PaixCRIIGEN Email author 

Abstract

Soil microorganisms are highly exposed to glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), especially to Roundup® which is widely used worldwide. However, studies on the effects of GBH formulations on specific non-rhizosphere soil microbial species are scarce. We evaluated the toxicity of a commercial formulation of Roundup® (R450), containing 450 g/L of glyphosate (GLY), on the soil filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, an experimental model microorganism. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) on solid media was between 90 and 112 mg/L GLY (among adjuvants, which are also included in the Roundup® formulation), which corresponds to a dilution percentage about 100 times lower than that used in agriculture. The LOAEL and NOAEL (lowest- and no-observed-adverse-effect levels) associated to morphology and growth were 33.75 and 31.5 mg/L GLY among adjuvants, respectively. The formulation R450 proved to be much more active than technical GLY. At the LD₅₀ and lower concentrations, R450 impaired growth, cellular polarity, endocytosis, and mitochondria (average number, total volume and metabolism). In contrast with the depletion of mitochondrial activities reported in animal studies, R450 caused a stimulation of mitochondrial enzyme activities, thus revealing a different mode of action of Roundup® on energetic metabolism. These mitochondrial disruptions were also evident at a low dose corresponding to the NOAEL for macroscopic parameters, indicating that these mitochondrial biomarkers are more sensitive than those for growth and morphological ones. Altogether, our data indicate that GBH toxic effects on soil filamentous fungi, and thus potential impairment of soil ecosystems, may occur at doses far below recommended agricultural application rate.

New study on Zonulin

New study out this month about Zonulin and NCGS (Non-celiac gluten sensitivity).  Here is the news report on the study.  The study was presented at a conference as an oral presentation.  The notes from the presentation are below.

I'll comment later.  For now I just wanted to save this link.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4669990/

OP269 THE ROLE OF ZONULIN IN NON-CELIAC GLUTEN SENSITIVITY AND IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

M. R. Barbaro¹, C. Cremon¹, G. Caio¹, L. Bellacosa¹, R. De Giorgio¹, U. Volta¹, V. Stanghellini¹, G. Barbara¹

¹Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Contact E-mail Address: ti.obinu@2orabrab.airam

Introduction: Zonulin, the human homolog of the zonula occludens toxin secreted by Vibrio cholera, is the only known endogenous modulator of epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and intestinal permeability. Intestinal bacterial infections and gluten evoke zonulin release in the intestinal milieu and in the bloodstream. A role for zonulin has been demonstrated in different diseases such as celiac disease (CD). Increased intestinal permeability has been reported in Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) although the mechanisms involved are not clear. Zonulin serum levels and its diagnostic value in NCGS and IBS remain undetermined

Aims & Methods: In the present study, we aimed at characterizing zonulin serum levels in patients with NCGS (n=27) and IBS-D (n=15) compared with CD (n=15; positive control) and healthy controls (n=15; HC, negative control). ELISA assay was used to evaluate zonulin serum levels; qPCR was used to evaluate zonulin gene expression in the colonic mucosa. Clinical data, abdominal symptoms and bowel habit were recorded and analysis of HLA alleles was performed. Zonulin serum levels were evaluated in a subgroup of NCGS patients during gluten containing diet (GCD) and gluten free diet (GFD).

Results: CD patients showed significantly higher zonulin serum levels compared to HC (0.033± 0.004 vs 0.007 ± 0.001 ng/mg total proteins, p < 0.0001) and to IBS-D patients (0.012 ± 0.002 ng/mg total proteins, p < 0.001). NCGS showed significantly higher zonulin serum levels compared to HC (0.030 ± 0.006 vs 0.007 ± 0.001, p < 0.05) and IBS-D (p < 0.05). IBS-D patients showed higher zonulin serum levels and colonic mRNA expression compared to HC. Zonulin levels were positively correlated with the titer of anti-TTG antibodies (r:0.6; p < 0.05) and anti-DGP antibodies (r:0.6; p < 0.05). A decrease in zonulin serum levels was observed during GFD compared to GCD (p=0.06) and a comparable decrease was observed for AGA IgG levels (p=0.06). Only HLA-DQ2-positive patients showed a significant decrease in zonulin serum levels during GFD compared to GCD (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed in zonulin serum levels during GFD between HLA-DQ2-positive patients and HLA-DQ2/DQ8 negative ones (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Zonulin serum levels are increased in IBS-D and NCGS, in addition to CD. A positive and significant correlation was found between zonulin serum levels and both anti-DGP and anti-TTG antibody titers. A comparable decrease of AGA IgG and zonulin serum levels was observed during GFD. Interestingly, only HLA-DQ2-positive patients showed a significant decrease of zonulin serum levels during GFD compared to GCD. Our data suggest that a zonulin-dependent TJ dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of IBS and NCGS, particularly in a subset of patients.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared