Predicting biphasic responses in binary mixtures: Pelargonic acid versus glyphosate

Predicting hormesis in mixtures is challenging, but essential considering that chemical exposures often occur in mixtures and at low doses. This study investigated mixture effects with two herbicides prone to induce hormesis and to interact, namely pelargonic acid versus glyphosate. Five independent mixture experiments were conducted in vitro to assess effects on root growth of lettuce. Mixture effects on the dose were analyzed using classical joint-action models in terms of deviation from the reference model of concentration addition. For effects on the hormetic magnitude (y_max), a linear reference model was utilized. Hormesis was inconsistent across rays, so that effects on inhibitory doses and y_max could be evaluated, but not effects on hormetic doses. Mixture effects on the dose were additive at lower doses changing to strong high-dose synergism. Mixture effects on y_max followed a linear change with mixture ratio or significantly deviated from linearity with a one-sided trend across rays in two experiments. The trend was antipodal between experiments, but well described by a curved y_max model based on single dose-response relationships. Atypical y_max deviations were associated with strong synergism at ED₅₀, suggesting that the linearity model applies for chemicals showing no/minor interaction at ED₅₀, while for strongly interacting chemicals y_max predictions seem more critical. The study unambiguously proved synergism on the dose for pelargonic acid versus glyphosate and indicated an impact of these joint effects on y_max. The study confirms the predictability of hormesis in mixtures and provides a further methodological step towards an incorporation of hormesis into mixture-toxicity evaluations.