Alterations in infant gut microbiome composition and metabolism after exposure to glyphosate and Roundup and/or a spore-based formulation using the SHIME technology. (26th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mesnage, Robin; Calatayud, Marta; Duysburgh, Cindy; Marzorati, Massimo; Antoniou, Michael N.
• Is Part Of: Gut microbiome. Volume 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07-26
• Subjects: pesticides -- probiotics -- metabolomics -- SHIME -- glyphosate -- gut microbiota; Intestines -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Intestines -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Intestines -- Diseases; Intestines -- Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 612.3601579
• DOI: 10.1017/gmb.2022.5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2632-2897

Abstract

Abstract: Despite extensive research into the toxicology of the herbicide glyphosate, there are still major unknowns regarding its effects on the human gut microbiome. We describe the effects of glyphosate and a Roundup glyphosate-based herbicide on infant gut microbiota using SHIME technology. SHIME microbiota culture was undertaken in the presence of a concentration of 100-mg/L glyphosate and the same glyphosate equivalent concentration of Roundup. Roundup and to a lesser extent glyphosate caused an increase in fermentation activity, resulting in acidification of the microbial environment. This was also reflected by an increase in lactate and acetate production concomitant to a decrease in the levels of propionate, valerate, caproate and butyrate. Ammonium production reflecting proteolytic activities was increased by Roundup exposure. Global metabolomics revealed large-scale disturbances, including an increased abundance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Changes in bacterial composition measured by qPCR and 16S rRNA suggested that lactobacilli had their growth stimulated as a result of microenvironment acidification. Co-treatment with the spore-based probiotic formulation MegaSporeBiotic reverted some of the changes in short-chain fatty acid levels. Altogether, our results suggest that glyphosate can exert effects on human gut microbiota.