Mitochondrial impairment related to the immunotoxicity of the herbicides clomazone, glyphosate and sulfentrazone in THP-1 cells

Background: Pesticides are indispensable for the cultivation of crops, especially those of economic importance, such as soybeans. Data on the annual use of herbicides in crops show that they correspond to 50%, making it the most used in agriculture.

Aim: Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of the three commercial herbicides (clomazone, glyphosate, and sulfentrazone) in THP-1 cells.

Methods: Cells were incubated with 0-5,000 mg/L of the herbicides for 24 h at 37 °C for cytotoxicity evaluation. Additionally, a few toxicological pathways such as reactive species generation, mitochondrial impairment, and interleukin profile, which have been previously involved in the toxicity of pesticides, were also evaluated.

Results: A potential immunotoxic effect of the herbicides on THP-1 cells was observed, especially glyphosate, as it is a powerful agent of cellular immunotoxicity. It was also possible to verify an increase in oxidative stress and IL-8 levels and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusion: All herbicides showed cytotoxic effects in THP-1 monocytes, which were related to mitochondrial impairment.