There is a growing body of research suggesting that GM grains can lead to liver and renal problems. El-Nahas, A. F., Mohamed, A. A., Zweel, H. H., & El-Ashwamy, I. M. (2011). Hepatorenal and genotoxic effects of genetically modified quail meat in a 90-day dietary toxicity study in mice.
International Food Research Journal,
18(4), 1313-1319.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hepatorenal toxicity and genotoxicity from eating meat meal of genetically modified (GM) Japanese quail in 90 days dietary experiment using micronucleus (MN) test, mitotic index (MI) and RAPD-PCR for genotoxicity assay, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine for hepatorenal toxicity. Four groups of Swiss male mice were used. Control 1 received balanced ration, control 2 received 20% non-GM quail meat, treated 1 received 20% GM quail meat meal, and treated 2 received 40%
GM quail meat meal. Minor differences in body weight were observed between the 4 groups. 40% GM quail meat meal induced hepatorenal toxicity; meanwhile 20% induced renal toxicity only. GM quail meat mealinduced genotoxicity by increased MN and nuclear buds caused by the 40%, while 20% caused nuclear buds only. Our RAPD fingerprints showed differences between the individual of both controls and both treatments in the number and intensity of the amplified DNA bands. The combined data of MN, nuclear buds and RAPD data indicate the genotoxic effect of both doses of GM quail meat which have nearby effects on fragmentation of genetic material.
Séralini, G., Cellier, D., & Vendomois, J. (2007). New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity.
Archives Of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology,
52(4), 596-602. doi:10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5
Abstract. Health risk assessment of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) cultivated for food or feed is under debate
throughout the world, and very little data have been published
on mid- or long-term toxicological studies with mammals. One
of these studies performed under the responsibility of
Monsanto Company with a transgenic corn MON863 has been
subjected to questions from regulatory reviewers in Europe,
where it was finally approved in 2005. This necessitated a new
assessment of kidney pathological findings, and the results
remained controversial. An Appeal Court action in Germany
(M_nster) allowed public access in June 2005 to all the crude
data from this 90-day rat-feeding study. We independently
re-analyzed these data. Appropriate statistics were added, such
as a multivariate analysis of the growth curves, and for
biochemical parameters comparisons between GMO-treated
rats and the controls fed with an equivalent normal diet, and
separately with six reference diets with different compositions.
We observed that after the consumption of MON863, rats
showed slight but dose-related significant variations in growth
for both sexes, resulting in 3.3% decrease in weight for males
and 3.7% increase for females. Chemistry measurements
reveal signs of hepatorenal toxicity, marked also by differential
sensitivities in males and females. Triglycerides increased
by 2440% in females (either at week 14, dose 11% or at week
5, dose 33%, respectively); urine phosphorus and sodium
excretions diminished in males by 3135% (week 14, dose
33%) for the most important results significantly linked to the
treatment in comparison to seven diets tested. Longer experiments
are essential in order to indicate the real nature and
extent of the possible pathology; with the present data it cannot
be concluded that GM corn MON863 is a safe product.
Walsh, M. C., Buzoianu, S. G., Gardiner, G. E., Rea, M. C., Gelencsér, E., Jánosi, A., & ... Lawlor, P. G. (2011). Fate of Transgenic DNA from Orally Administered Bt MON810 Maize and Effects on Immune Response and Growth in Pigs.
Plos ONE,
6(11), 1-12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027177
Abstract
We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on immune responses and growth in weanling pigs and determined the fate of the transgenic DNA and protein in-vivo. Pigs were fed a diet containing 38.9% GM or non-GM isogenic parent line maize for 31 days. We observed that IL-12 and IFNc production from mitogenic stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased (P,0.10) following 31 days of GM maize exposure. While Cry1Abspecific IgG and IgA were not detected in the plasma of GM maize-fed pigs, the detection of the cry1Ab gene and protein was limited to the gastrointestinal digesta and was not found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, muscle, heart or blood. Feeding GM maize to weanling pigs had no effect on growth performance or body weight. IL-6 and IL-4 production from isolated splenocytes were increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize while the proportion of CD4+ T cells in the spleen decreased. In the ileum, the proportion of B cells and macrophages decreased while the proportion of CD4+ T cells increased in GM maize-fed pigs. IL-8 and IL-4 production from isolated intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes were also increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize. In conclusion, there was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or protein translocation to the organs and blood of weaning pigs. The growth of pigs was not affected by feeding GM maize. Alterations in immune responses were detected; however, their biologic relevance is questionable.
Malatesta, M., Boraldi, F., Annovi, G., Baldelli, B., Battistelli, S., Biggiogera, M., & Quaglino, D. (200
. A long-term study on female mice fed on a genetically modified soybean: effects on liver ageing.
Histochemistry & Cell Biology,
130(5), 967-977. doi:10.1007/s00418-008-0476-x
Abstract Liver represents a suitable model for monitoring
the eVects of a diet, due to its key role in controlling the
whole metabolism. Although no direct evidence has been
reported so far that genetically modiWed (GM) food may
aVect health, previous studies on hepatocytes from young
female mice fed on GM soybean demonstrated nuclear
modiWcations involving transcription and splicing pathways.
In this study, the eVects of this diet were studied on
liver of old female mice in order to elucidate possible interference
with ageing. The morpho-functional characteristics
of the liver of 24-month-old mice, fed from weaning on
control or GM soybean, were investigated by combining a
proteomic approach with ultrastructural, morphometrical
and immunoelectron microscopical analyses. Several proteins
belonging to hepatocyte metabolism, stress response,
calcium signalling and mitochondria were diVerentially
expressed in GM-fed mice, indicating a more marked
expression of senescence markers in comparison to controls.
Moreover, hepatocytes of GM-fed mice showed mitochondrial
and nuclear modiWcations indicative of reduced
metabolic rate. This study demonstrates that GM soybean
intake can inXuence some liver features during ageing and,
although the mechanisms remain unknown, underlines the
importance to investigate the long-term consequences of
GM-diets and the potential synergistic eVects with ageing,
xenobiotics and/or stress conditions.
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