In vitro study of glyphosate effects on thyroid cells

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Cell Biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Glyphosate is a widely used pesticide with environmental and food residues.
• Concerns exist regarding its potential carcinogenicity and endocrine-disrupting effects.
• In vitro data on glyphosate's impact on thyroid cells are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro adverse effects of glyphosate exposure on thyroid cells.
• To assess glyphosate's impact on cell viability, proliferation, and gene expression in thyroid cell models.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two in vitro models: adherent 2D and spheroid 3D cultures of Fisher-rat-thyroid-cell line-5 (FRTL-5).
• Exposed cells to varying glyphosate concentrations and evaluated viability, proliferation, spheroid formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and thyroid-related gene mRNA levels via RT-PCR.

Main Results:

• Glyphosate reduced cell viability and proliferation in both 2D and 3D models.
• Increased ROS production was observed in thyroid cells following glyphosate exposure.
• Glyphosate altered the mRNA levels of key thyroid-related genes, including TSHR, TPO, TG, and TTF-1.

Conclusions:

• Glyphosate exerts adverse effects on cultured thyroid cells.
• The pesticide impacts thyroid cell viability, proliferation, and oxidative stress.
• Findings suggest potential risks to thyroid function from glyphosate exposure.