Pubertal glyphosate-based herbicide exposure aggravates high-fat diet-induced obesity in female mice

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2024-02, Vol.31 (10), p.15872-15884
• Main Authors: Rosolen, Ana Paula Farina, Ribeiro, Rosane Aparecida, Teleken, Jakeline Liara, de Oliveira Chaves, Janaina, Padilha, Suellen Camila, Goes, Maria Eduarda, Morari, Joseane, Boschero, Antonio Carlos, Balbo, Sandra Lucinei, Bonfleur, Maria Lúcia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Adipocytes; Animals; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Body mass; Body weight; Cytotoxicity; Diet; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Exposure; Female; Females; Glyphosate; Herbicides; Herbicides - toxicity; High fat diet; Hyperphagia; Lean body mass; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Lymphocytes T; Male; Males; Mice; Obesity; Obesity - chemically induced; Pesticides; Puberty; Research Article; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1614-7499; 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32234-z

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the most widely used pesticides globally. Studies have indicated that they may increase the risk of various organic dysfunctions. Herein, we verified whether exposure to GBH during puberty increases the susceptibility of male and female mice to obesity when they are fed a high-fat diet (HFD) in adulthood. From the 4th–7th weeks of age, male and female C57Bl/6 mice received water (CTL group) or 50 mg GBH /kg body weight (BW; GBH group). From the 8th–21st weeks of age, the mice were fed a standard diet or a HFD. It was found that pubertal GBH exposure exacerbated BW gains and hyperphagia induced by HFD, but only in female GBH-HFD mice. These female mice also exhibited high accumulation of perigonadal and subcutaneous fat, as well as reduced lean body mass. Both male and female GBH-HFD displayed hypertrophic white adipocytes. However, only in females, pubertal GBH exposure aggravated HFD-induced fat accumulation in brown adipocytes. Furthermore, GBH increased plasma cortisol levels by 80% in GBH-HFD males, and 180% in GBH-HFD females. In conclusion, pubertal GBH exposure aggravated HFD-induced obesity, particularly in adult female mice. This study provides novel evidence that GBH misprograms lipid metabolism, accelerating the development of obesity when individuals are challenged by a second metabolic stressor, such as an obesogenic diet.