Dano cardiovascular associado à exposição subcrônica inalatória e oral ao herbicida glifosato

Abstract

Introduction: Millions of farmers suffer poisoning and death in developing countries, and occupational exposure and suicide make glyphosate toxicity a worldwide concern. Objective: To assess the cardiovascular effects of subchronic oral and inhalation exposure to the herbicide glyphosate in rats. Material and methods: 80 albino Wistar rats were used, divided into 8 groups (5 males and 5 females / group): CI: nebulization with sodium chloride solution (NaCl); OC: nebulized feed with NaCl; LGI: nebulization with 3.71 x 10-3 grams of active ingredient per hectare (g.i.a / ha) of glyphosate; LGO: nebulized feed with 3.71 x 10-3 g.i.a / ha of glyphosate; MGI: nebulization with 6.19 x 10-3 g.i.a / ha of glyphosate; MGO: nebulized feed with 6.19 x 10-3 g.i.a / ha of glyphosate; HGI: nebulization with 9.28 x 10-3 g.i.a / ha of glyphosate; HGO: nebulized feed with 9.28 x 10-3 g.i.a / ha of glyphosate. After 75 days of exposure, the animals were euthanized and fragments of the aorta and the heart were collected for histopathological analysis. Results: Cholesterol streaks were observed in most animals exposed to glyphosate and were more prevalent in male rats, regardless of the route of exposure (p <0.05). There was no difference in the thickness and collagen density measurements of the right and left ventricles in any of the groups evaluated (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that glyphosate has atherogenic potential, regardless of the route of exposure. Thus, it is necessary to be careful when applying glyphosate to crops and gardens, since its use may cause health risks.