LAUSR

BACKGROUND Potato tubers coming from genetically modified plants overexpressing the StDREB1 or the VvWRKY2 transcription factors (TF) that exhibited improved tolerance to salt and resistance to Fusarium solani infection, were characterized and evaluated for safety in a 30-day rat feeding study. Four groups of male Wistar rats were provided with a diet composed of 33% (w/w) of genetically modified potatoes (GMP) or 33% of the commercial Spunta variety (Sp), and a control group fed with the basal rats' diet. The influence of the GMP on rat behavior and overall health parameters was evaluated and compared with that of commercial potato (i.e., the Sp group) and control diet. RESULTS Small differences were noticed in the chemical composition of the different tubers, but all the diets were adjusted to an identical caloric level. Results showed that no sign of toxic or detrimental effects on the rats' overall health were remarked as a result of these diet consumption. The rats fed with the GMP meal showed hematological and biochemical composition of the plasma comparable to the control groups. No histopathological damage nor any structural disorganization, severe congestion, or acute inflammation were noticed in the rats' tissues. CONCLUSION Under these study conditions, the GMP diets did not induce any apparent or significant adverse effects on rats after 30 days of dietary administration in comparison with rats fed diets with the corresponding non-transgenic diet and the standard diet group. These two GMP were therefore considered to be as safe as their commercial comparator. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.