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Pinto A, Macário IPE, Marques SM, Lourenço J, Domingues I, Botelho MJ, Asselman J, Pereira P, Pereira JL. A short-term exposure to saxitoxin triggers a multitude of deleterious effects in Daphnia magna at levels deemed safe for human health. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175431. [PMID: 39128511 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms and the toxins produced during these events are a human and environmental health concern worldwide. Saxitoxin and its derivatives are potent natural aquatic neurotoxins produced by certain freshwater cyanobacteria and marine algae species during these bloom events. Saxitoxins effects on human health are well studied, however its effects on aquatic biota are still largely unexplored. This work aims at evaluating the effects of a pulse acute exposure (24 h) of the model cladoceran Daphnia magna to 30 μg saxitoxin L-1, which corresponds to the safety guideline established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for these toxins in recreational freshwaters. Saxitoxin effects were assessed through a comprehensive array of biochemical (antioxidant enzymes activity and lipid peroxidation), genotoxicity (alkaline comet assay), neurotoxicity (total cholinesterases activity), behavioral (swimming patterns), physiological (feeding rate and heart rate), and epigenetic (total 5-mC DNA methylation) biomarkers. Exposure resulted in decreased feeding rate, heart rate, total cholinesterases activity and catalase activity. Contrarily, other antioxidant enzymes, namely glutathione-S-transferases and selenium-dependent Glutathione peroxidase had their activity increased, together with lipid peroxidation levels. The enhancement of the antioxidant enzymes was not sufficient to prevent oxidative damage, as underpinned by lipid peroxidation enhancement. Accordingly, average DNA damage level was significantly increased in STX-exposed daphnids. Total DNA 5-mC level was significantly decreased in exposed organisms. Results showed that even a short-term exposure to saxitoxin causes significant effects on critical molecular and cellular pathways and modulates swimming patterns in D. magna individuals. This study highlights sub-lethal effects caused by saxitoxin in D. magna, suggesting that these toxins may represent a marked challenge to their thriving even at a concentration deemed safe for humans by the WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albano Pinto
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Inês P E Macário
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio M Marques
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Lourenço
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria João Botelho
- IPMA, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165 Algés, Portugal; CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge Building, Ostend Science Park 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana L Pereira
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Qualhato G, Cirqueira Dias F, Rocha TL. Hazardous effects of plastic microfibres from facial masks to aquatic animal health: Insights from zebrafish model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175555. [PMID: 39168327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Facial masks are a source of plastic microfibres (PMFs) in the aquatic environment, an emerging risk factor for aquatic organisms. However, little is known concerning its impact during the early developmental stages of fish. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction and developmental toxicity of PMFs derived from leachate of surgical masks (SC-Msk) and N-95 facial masks (N95-Msk) using a multi-biomarker approach in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). PMFs from both facial masks were obtained and characterized by multiple techniques. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of PMFs from both facial masks (1000, 10,000, and 100,000 particle L-1), and the toxicity was analysed in terms of mortality, hatching rate, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, morphological changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell viability, and behavioural impairments. The results showed that both facial masks can release PMFs, but the N95-Msk produced a higher concentration of PMFs than SC-Msk. Both PMFs can interact with zebrafish chorion and don't cause effects on embryo mortality and hatching; however, zebrafish embryos showed cardiotoxic effects, and larvae showed increased agitation, average speed, and distance travelled, indicating the behavioural impairments induced by PMFs derived from facial masks. Overall, results showed the risk of PMFs to the health of freshwater fish, indicating the need for greater attention to the disposal and ecotoxicological effects of facial masks on aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Qualhato
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Felipe Cirqueira Dias
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Thiago Lopes Rocha
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Pir R, Sulukan E, Şenol O, Atakay M, Baran A, Kankaynar M, Yıldız E, Salih B, Ceyhun SB. Co-exposure effect of different colour of LED lights and increasing temperature on zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio): Immunohistochemical, metabolomics, molecular and behaviour approaches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175468. [PMID: 39147052 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Although there are studies in the literature on the effects of different coloured light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on different organisms, there is limited information on how these effects change with temperature increase. In this study, the effects of blue, green, red and white LED lights on the early development process of zebrafish (Danio rerio (Hamilton, 1822)) were comprehensively investigated. In addition, to simulate global warming, it was examined how a one-degree temperature increase affects this process. For this purpose, zebrafish embryos, which were placed at 4 hpf (hours post fertilization) in an incubator whose interior was divided into four areas, were kept at three different temperatures (28, 29 and 30 °C) for 120 h. The group kept in a dark environment was chosen as the control. The temperature of the control group was also increased at the same rate as the other groups. The results showed that at the end of the exposure period, temperature and light colour caused an increase in body malformations. Histopathological damage and immunopositive signals of HSP 70 and 8-OHdG biomarkers in larval brains, increase in free oxygen radicals, apoptotic cells and lipid accumulation throughout the body, increase in locomotor activity, decrease in heart rate and blood flow, and significant changes in more than thirty metabolite levels were detected. In addition, it has been determined that many metabolic pathways are affected, especially glutathione, vitamin B6 and pyrimidine metabolism. Moreover, it has been observed that a one-degree temperature increase worsens this negative effect. It was concluded that blue light was the closest light to the control group and was less harmful than other light colours. The study revealed that blue light produced results that were most similar to those seen in the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Pir
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Nanoscience, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Ekrem Sulukan
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Basic Science Department, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Onur Şenol
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Atakay
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Alper Baran
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Meryem Kankaynar
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Nanoscience, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Emriye Yıldız
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Aquaculture Engineering, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Bekir Salih
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Saltuk Buğrahan Ceyhun
- Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Nanoscience, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye; Department of Aquaculture Engineering, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey; Aquaculture Department, Fisheries Faculty, Atatürk University, 25240 Erzurum, Türkiye.
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Nsuala BN, Enslin G, Chen W, Veale C, Viljoen A. Chemical profiling, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects of the smoke constituents isolated from Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 331:118271. [PMID: 38688356 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The use of medicinal plants for central nervous system (CNS)-related ailments, such as epilepsy and anxiety, is prevalent in South Africa. Plants from the Lamiaceae family are commonly used for their therapeutic benefits. Leonotis leonurus (L.) R.Br. has been reported in ethnobotanical literature to have anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects through the inhalation of pyrolysis products obtained by combustion of the aerial parts. AIM AND OBJECTIVES To explore the chemical profiles and CNS activity of the smoke extract and isolated constituents of L. leonurus in zebrafish larvae, through anticonvulsive and anxiolytic activity assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS The smoke extract of L. leonurus was obtained through the combustion of the aerial parts of the plant using a custom-built smoke recovery apparatus. The chemical profile of the smoke constituents was determined using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Targeted compounds were subjected to preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for separation before structure elucidation using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The maximum tolerated concentrations, as well as the anxiolytic activity of the smoke extract were determined in five days post fertilisation zebrafish larvae. Reverse-thigmotaxis and locomotor activity of larvae in the light/dark transition assay were used to determine anxiolytic activity. Zebrafish larvae at six days post fertilisation (dpf) were subjected to several concentrations of the smoke constituents of L. leonurus. The baseline locomotor activity of the larvae was tracked for 30 min, prior to addition of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) to induce seizure-like behaviour in the larvae, after which the locomotor activity of the larvae was once again tracked for an additional 30 min. RESULTS The UPLC-MS profiles of the smoke extract revealed the presence of two main compounds, leoleorin A and leoleorin B, which were targeted and isolated. Upon subjection to NMR spectroscopy for structure elucidation, the compounds were confirmed to be labdane diterpenoids. Both leoleorin A and leoleorin B, and the smoke extract displayed suppression of the PTZ induced seizure-like behaviour in zebrafish larvae. Under light and dark conditions, the smoke extract and compounds displayed potential anxiolytic activity at different concentrations. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the smoke constituents of L. leonurus may exert anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects which align with the traditional indications and the mode of administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baudry N Nsuala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Gill Enslin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Weiyang Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Clinton Veale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Alvaro Viljoen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
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Wang W, Li Z, Yuan S, Du Z, Li J, Peng H, Ru S. A Potential Neurotoxic Mechanism: Bisphenol S-Induced Inhibition of Glucose Transporter 1 Leads to ATP Excitotoxicity in the Zebrafish Brain. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:15463-15474. [PMID: 39167196 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Many environmental pollutants have neurotoxic effects, but the initial molecular events involved in these effects are unclear. Here, zebrafish were exposed to the neurotoxicant bisphenol S (BPS, 1, 10, or 100 μg/L) from the embryonic stage to the larval stage to explore the ability of BPS to interfere with energy metabolism in the brain. BPS, which is similar to a glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) inhibitor, inhibited GLUT1 function but increased mitochondrial activity in the brains of larval zebrafish. Interestingly, GLUT1 inhibitor treatment and BPS exposure did not reduce energy production in the brain; instead, they increased ATP production by inducing the preferential use of ketone bodies. Moreover, BPS promoted the protein expression of the purinergic 2X receptor but inhibited the purinergic 2Y-mediated phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway, indicating that excess ATP acts as a neurotransmitter to activate the purinergic 2X receptor under the BPS-induced restriction of GLUT1 function. BPS-induced inhibition of GLUT1 increased the number of neurons but promoted apoptosis by activating ATP-purinergic 2X receptors in the brain, causing ATP excitatory neurotoxicity. Our data reveal a potential neurotoxic mechanism induced by BPS that may represent a new adverse outcome pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Ze Li
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shipeng Yuan
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zehui Du
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Jiali Li
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Hongyuan Peng
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shaoguo Ru
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
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Fortuna M, Varella ACC, Siqueira L, Soares SM, Freddo N, Nardi J, Barletto ÍP, Bertuol MZ, Barcellos LJG. Transgenerational effects of the levonorgestrel-based birth control pill in zebrafish offspring. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 110:104540. [PMID: 39173986 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The consumption of hormone-derived medicines, such as levonorgestrel (LNG), is increasing worldwide, and its discharge into the environment reaches non-target organisms. In our previous study, we exposed the parental generation of zebrafish to environmentally relevant concentrations of LNG during the developmental phase. Subsequently, they had grown in a tank with clean water until adulthood. Now, we allowed this parental generation to reproduce to obtain F1 progeny unexposed to LGN, in order to analyze the transgenerational effects of parental LNG exposure on the survival and hatching of unexposed F1 embryos and the stress and behavior of F1 larvae. Here, we found decreased survival rates with higher LNG concentrations, providing a transgenerational effect. This highlights the environmental impact of exposure to LNG, causing damage at the individual and population level and affecting the next generation at the beginning of development, impacting qualities in the survival of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Fortuna
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Lisiane Siqueira
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Suelen Mendonça Soares
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Natália Freddo
- Graduate Programa in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Nardi
- Graduate Programa in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ísis Piasson Barletto
- Undergraduate Course of Veterinary Medicine, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Milena Zanoello Bertuol
- Undergraduate Course of Veterinary Medicine, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo José Gil Barcellos
- Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Programa in Bioexperimentation, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Undergraduate Course of Veterinary Medicine, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Caioni G, Merola C, Perugini M, Angelozzi G, Amorena M, Benedetti E, Lucon-Xiccato T, Bertolucci C. Sodium valproate effects on the morphological and neurobehavioral phenotype of zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 110:104500. [PMID: 38977114 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
The anticonvulsant sodium valproate (SV) is frequently administered as a medicament but bears several negative effects in case of exposure during development. We analyzed extensively these early development effects of using the zebrafish model. Zebrafish embryos were exposed as eggs to two sublethal concentrations of SV, 10 and 25 mg/L. A general embryo toxicity analysis revealed extended anomalies in the cardiovascular system, and in the craniofacial and the spinal skeleton, as well as high mortality, in the embryos exposed to SV. The teratogenic potential of SV was confirmed in hacthed larvae by morphometric and cartilage profile analysis. Last, neurobehavioral impairments due to SV were highlighted in subjects' activity, anxiety, response to stimulations, habituation learning, and daily synchronization of locomotor activity, overall mirroring typical phenotypes associated with autistic spectrum disorders. In conclusion, our results confirmed the presence of extended and multifaced impacts of exposure to SV during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Caioni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila 67100, Italy; Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmine Merola
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - Monia Perugini
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Angelozzi
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - Michele Amorena
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Benedetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila 67100, Italy
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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Li X, Jiang H, Guo D, Huang W, Ren H, Zhang Q. Toxic Features and Metabolomic Intervention of Glabrene, an Impurity Found in the Pharmaceutical Product of Glabridin. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8985. [PMID: 39201673 PMCID: PMC11354706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25168985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Glabridin is a widely used product in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry, which is generally isolated and purified from Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract in industrial production. It has wide clinical applications, but significant toxicity has also been reported. The purity of glabridin raw material is generally between 90% and 98%. We have identified a toxic impurity, glabrene, in the industrial product glabridin. Our investigation using an AB wild-type zebrafish toxicity test showed that glabrene has a significant lethal effect with an LC10 of 2.8 μM. Glabrene induced obvious malformation and disrupted cartilage development in zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, the compound significantly reduced larval mobility and caused damage to brain neural tissues. Metabolic pathway analysis and neurotransmitter quantification via ELISA indicated abnormal activation of the phenylalanine metabolic pathway, resulting in elevated dopamine and acetylcholine levels in vivo. These findings provide insights into the potential risks of glabrene contamination and offer a new reference point for enhancing safety measures and quality controls in licorice-derived products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (X.L.); (H.J.); (D.G.); (W.H.)
| | - Haixin Jiang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (X.L.); (H.J.); (D.G.); (W.H.)
| | - Dongxue Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (X.L.); (H.J.); (D.G.); (W.H.)
| | - Wen Huang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (X.L.); (H.J.); (D.G.); (W.H.)
| | - Houpu Ren
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China;
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Natural Products & Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; (X.L.); (H.J.); (D.G.); (W.H.)
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Schmitz DA, Wechsler T, Li HB, Menze BH, Kümmerli R. A new protocol for multispecies bacterial infections in zebrafish and their monitoring through automated image analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304827. [PMID: 39116043 PMCID: PMC11309447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish Danio rerio has become a popular model host to explore disease pathology caused by infectious agents. A main advantage is its transparency at an early age, which enables live imaging of infection dynamics. While multispecies infections are common in patients, the zebrafish model is rarely used to study them, although the model would be ideal for investigating pathogen-pathogen and pathogen-host interactions. This may be due to the absence of an established multispecies infection protocol for a defined organ and the lack of suitable image analysis pipelines for automated image processing. To address these issues, we developed a protocol for establishing and tracking single and multispecies bacterial infections in the inner ear structure (otic vesicle) of the zebrafish by imaging. Subsequently, we generated an image analysis pipeline that involved deep learning for the automated segmentation of the otic vesicle, and scripts for quantifying pathogen frequencies through fluorescence intensity measures. We used Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, three of the difficult-to-treat ESKAPE pathogens, to show that our infection protocol and image analysis pipeline work both for single pathogens and pairwise pathogen combinations. Thus, our protocols provide a comprehensive toolbox for studying single and multispecies infections in real-time in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée A. Schmitz
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tobias Wechsler
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hongwei Bran Li
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bjoern H. Menze
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Kümmerli
- Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Valcarce DG, Sellés-Egea A, Riesco MF, De Garnica MG, Martínez-Fernández B, Herráez MP, Robles V. Early stress exposure on zebrafish development: effects on survival, malformations and molecular alterations. FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2024; 50:1545-1562. [PMID: 38743196 PMCID: PMC11286684 DOI: 10.1007/s10695-024-01355-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The effects of stress during early vertebrate development can be especially harmful. Avoiding stressors in fish larvae is essential to ensure the health of adult fish and their reproductive performance and overall production. We examined the consequences of direct exposure to successive acute stressors during early development, including their effects on miR-29a and its targets, survival, hatching and malformation rates, larval behaviour and cartilage and eye development. Our aim was to shed light on the pleiotropic effects of early-induced stress in this vertebrate model species. Our results showed that direct exposure to successive acute stressors during early development significantly upregulated miR-29a and downregulated essential collagen transcripts col2a1a, col6a2 and col11a1a, decreased survival and increased malformation rates (swim bladder, otoliths, cardiac oedema and ocular malformations), promoting higher rates of immobility in larvae. Our results revealed that stress in early stages can induce different eye tissular architecture and cranioencephalic cartilage development alterations. Our research contributes to the understanding of the impact of stressful conditions during the early stages of zebrafish development, serving as a valuable model for vertebrate research. This holds paramount significance in the fields of developmental biology and aquaculture and also highlights miR-29a as a potential molecular marker for assessing novel larval rearing programmes in teleost species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Valcarce
- Cell Biology Area, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Alba Sellés-Egea
- Cell Biology Area, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Marta F Riesco
- Cell Biology Area, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain
| | | | | | - María Paz Herráez
- Cell Biology Area, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain
| | - Vanesa Robles
- Cell Biology Area, Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain.
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11
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Morash MG, Kirzinger MW, Achenbach JC, Venkatachalam AB, Nixon J, Penny S, Cooper JP, Ratzlaff DE, Woodland CLA, Ellis LD. Comparative toxicological assessment of 2 bisphenols using a systems approach: evaluation of the behavioral and transcriptomic responses of Danio rerio to bisphenol A and tetrabromobisphenol A. Toxicol Sci 2024; 200:394-403. [PMID: 38730555 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming a critical component of new approach methods (NAMs) in chemical risk assessment. As a whole organism in vitro NAM, the zebrafish model offers significant advantages over individual cell-line testing, including toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic competencies. A transcriptomic approach not only allows for insight into mechanism of action for both apical endpoints and unobservable adverse outcomes, but also changes in gene expression induced by lower, environmentally relevant concentrations. In this study, we used a larval zebrafish model to assess the behavioral and transcriptomic alterations caused by subphenotypic concentrations of 2 chemicals with the same structural backbone, the endocrine-disrupting chemicals bisphenol A and tetrabromobisphenol A. Following assessment of behavioral toxicity, we used a transcriptomic approach to identify molecular pathways associated with previously described phenotypes. We also determined the transcriptomic point of departure for each chemical by modeling gene expression changes as continuous systems which allows for the identification of a single concentration at which toxic effects can be predicted. This can then be investigated with confirmatory cell-based testing in an integrated approach to testing and assessment to determine risk to human health and the environment with greater confidence. This paper demonstrates the impact of using a multi-faceted approach for evaluating the physiological and neurotoxic effects of exposure to structurally related chemicals. By comparing phenotypic effects with transcriptomic outcomes, we were able to differentiate, characterize, and rank the toxicities of related bisphenols, which demonstrates methodological advantages unique to the larval zebrafish NAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Morash
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Morgan W Kirzinger
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W9, Canada
| | - John C Achenbach
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Ananda B Venkatachalam
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Jessica Nixon
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Susanne Penny
- Human Health and Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | | | - Deborah E Ratzlaff
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Cindy L A Woodland
- New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - Lee D Ellis
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, Halifax, NS B3H 3Z1, Canada
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12
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Boopathi S, Mendonca E, Gandhi A, Rady A, Darwish NM, Arokiyaraj S, Kumar TTA, Pachaiappan R, Guru A, Arockiaraj J. Exploring the Combined Effect of Exercise and Apigenin on Aluminium-Induced Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:5320-5336. [PMID: 38191695 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03913-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Aluminium (AL) is a strong environmental neurotoxin linked to neurodegenerative disorders. Widespread industrial use leads to its presence in water systems, causing bioaccumulation in organisms. This, in turn, results in the bioaccumulation of AL in various organisms. Several studies have highlighted the benefits of enhanced physical activity in combating neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile widespread presence of apigenin in aquatic environment has been largely overlooked, in terms of its potential to counter AL-induced neurotoxicity. The combined impact of exercise and apigenin in mitigating the effects of AL-induced neurotoxicity in aquatic animals remains unexplored. Hence, the objective of this study is to determine whether the combined treatment of exercise and apigenin can effectively alleviate the chronic neurotoxicity induced by AL. Zebrafish that were exposed to AL showed behaviours resembling anxiety, increased aggression, unusual swimming pattern, and memory impairment, which are typical features observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like syndrome. Combined treatment of exercise and apigenin protects zebrafish from AL-induced neurotoxicity, which was measured by improvements in memory, reduced anxiety and aggression, and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Furthermore, AL exposure is associated with increased expression of genes related to neuroinflammation and AD. However, synergistic effect of exercise and apigenin counteract this effect in AL-treated zebrafish. These findings suggest that AL is involved in neurodegenerative diseases in fish, which could affect the integrity of aquatic ecosystem. Hence, there is a strong correlation between enhanced physical activity, apigenin, and the well-being of the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seenivasan Boopathi
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, 603203, India
| | - Edrea Mendonca
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, 603203, India
| | - Akash Gandhi
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, 603203, India
| | - Ahmed Rady
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P. O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noura M Darwish
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Science Ain Shams University, Abbasaya, P.O. Box, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Selvaraj Arokiyaraj
- Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Korea
| | | | - Raman Pachaiappan
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, 603203, India
| | - Ajay Guru
- Department of Cariology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 077, India.
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Chengalpattu District, 603203, India.
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13
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Baker CE, Marta AG, Zimmerman ND, Korade Z, Mathy NW, Wilton D, Simeone T, Kochvar A, Kramer KL, Stessman HAF, Shibata A. CPT2 Deficiency Modeled in Zebrafish: Abnormal Neural Development, Electrical Activity, Behavior, and Schizophrenia-Related Gene Expression. Biomolecules 2024; 14:914. [PMID: 39199302 PMCID: PMC11353230 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein of the carnitine shuttle and is involved in the beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids. Beta-oxidation provides an alternative pathway of energy production during early development and starvation. CPT2 deficiency is a genetic disorder that we recently showed can be associated with schizophrenia. We hypothesize that CPT2 deficiency during early brain development causes transcriptional, structural, and functional abnormalities that may contribute to a CNS environment that is susceptible to the emergence of schizophrenia. To investigate the effect of CPT2 deficiency on early vertebrate development and brain function, CPT2 was knocked down in a zebrafish model system. CPT2 knockdown resulted in abnormal lipid utilization and deposition, reduction in body size, and abnormal brain development. Axonal projections, neurotransmitter synthesis, electrical hyperactivity, and swimming behavior were disrupted in CPT2 knockdown zebrafish. RT-qPCR analyses showed significant increases in the expression of schizophrenia-associated genes in CPT2 knockdown compared to control zebrafish. Taken together, these data demonstrate that zebrafish are a useful model for studying the importance of beta-oxidation for early vertebrate development and brain function. This study also presents novel findings linking CPT2 deficiency to the regulation of schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disease-associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly E. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.E.B.); (K.L.K.)
| | - Aaron G. Marta
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Nathan D. Zimmerman
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Zeljka Korade
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68178, USA;
| | - Nicholas W. Mathy
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Delaney Wilton
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Timothy Simeone
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (T.S.); (H.A.F.S.)
| | - Andrew Kochvar
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Kenneth L. Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.E.B.); (K.L.K.)
| | - Holly A. F. Stessman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (T.S.); (H.A.F.S.)
| | - Annemarie Shibata
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
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14
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Pecunioso A, Aleotti E, Agrillo C. Do body colour and sociability impact scototaxis response of fish? Sci Rep 2024; 14:16717. [PMID: 39030305 PMCID: PMC11271562 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67473-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Scototaxis test is an anxiety-like test used by behavioural neuroscientists consisting in the assessment of dark/light preference of laboratory animals. This test has been widely used in fish. Most of the species have been shown to express a preference for the dark environment. However, the majority of the investigated species has a dark body colour, thus making a clear contrast with a white/bright background. Also, while in nature fish tend to be highly social, studies in the scototaxis literature tested single fish. Yet, individual vs. group behaviour might interact with scototaxis response. In experiment 1, we assessed the individual response to test the hypothesis that the different colours of the body might modulate the dark/light preference. We found that species with a dark body colour (Hyphessobrycon megalopterus) and a largely transparent body colour (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) strongly preferred the darker environment. Instead, the preference for darkness of a species with a luminescent part of the body (Paracheirodon axelrodi) was less pronounced. Lastly, a species with a white body colour (Corydoras albini) did not prefer either a bright or a dark sector. In experiment 2, we explored the behaviour of these species when inserted in shoals of 20 individuals in the experimental apparatus. While H. megalopterus and K. bichirrhis confirmed their robust preference for darker environments, the other two species changed their preference. Taken together, these results suggest that scototaxis response is context-dependent, as it appears to be modulated by the body colour and the presence/absence of other conspecifics in the surrounding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena Aleotti
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Christian Agrillo
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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15
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Gould S, Winter MJ, Trznadel M, Lange A, Hamilton CM, Boreham RJ, Hetheridge MJ, Young A, Norton WHJ, Tyler CR. Exposure Effects of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of the Tricyclic Antidepressant Amitriptyline in Early Life Stage Zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58. [PMID: 39018108 PMCID: PMC11295126 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Antidepressants are one of the most globally prescribed classes of pharmaceuticals, and drug target conservation across phyla means that nontarget organisms may be at risk from the effects of exposure. Here, we address the knowledge gap for the effects of chronic exposure (28 days) to the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline (AMI) on fish, including for concentrations with environmental relevance, using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as our experimental model. AMI was found to bioconcentrate in zebrafish, was readily transformed to its major active metabolite nortriptyline, and induced a pharmacological effect (downregulation of the gene encoding the serotonin transporter; slc6a4a) at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.03 μg/L and above). Exposures to AMI at higher concentrations accelerated the hatch rate and reduced locomotor activity, the latter of which was abolished after a 14 day period of depuration. The lack of any response on the features of physiology and behavior we measured at concentrations found in the environment would indicate that AMI poses a relatively low level of risk to fish populations. The pseudopersistence and likely presence of multiple drugs acting via the same mechanism of action, however, together with a global trend for increased prescription rates, mean that this risk may be underestimated using current ecotoxicological assessment paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie
L. Gould
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Matthew J. Winter
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Maciej Trznadel
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Anke Lange
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Charles M. Hamilton
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Rebekah J. Boreham
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Malcolm J. Hetheridge
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
| | - Andrew Young
- Department
of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, University Rd., Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - William H. J. Norton
- Department
of Genetics and Genome Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, University Rd., Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K.
| | - Charles R. Tyler
- Biosciences,
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University
of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QD, U.K.
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16
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Yin JH, Horzmann KA. Embryonic Zebrafish as a Model for Investigating the Interaction between Environmental Pollutants and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1559. [PMID: 39062132 PMCID: PMC11275083 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollutants have been linked to neurotoxicity and are proposed to contribute to neurodegenerative disorders. The zebrafish model provides a high-throughput platform for large-scale chemical screening and toxicity assessment and is widely accepted as an important animal model for the investigation of neurodegenerative disorders. Although recent studies explore the roles of environmental pollutants in neurodegenerative disorders in zebrafish models, current knowledge of the mechanisms of environmentally induced neurodegenerative disorders is relatively complex and overlapping. This review primarily discusses utilizing embryonic zebrafish as the model to investigate environmental pollutants-related neurodegenerative disease. We also review current applicable approaches and important biomarkers to unravel the underlying mechanism of environmentally related neurodegenerative disorders. We found embryonic zebrafish to be a powerful tool that provides a platform for evaluating neurotoxicity triggered by environmentally relevant concentrations of neurotoxic compounds. Additionally, using variable approaches to assess neurotoxicity in the embryonic zebrafish allows researchers to have insights into the complex interaction between environmental pollutants and neurodegenerative disorders and, ultimately, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms related to environmental toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katharine A. Horzmann
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
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17
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di Domenico K, Lacchetti I, Cafiero G, Mancini A, Carere M, Mancini L. Reviewing the use of zebrafish for the detection of neurotoxicity induced by chemical mixtures through the analysis of behaviour. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142246. [PMID: 38710414 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The knowledge and assessment of mixtures of chemical pollutants in the aquatic environment is a complex issue that is often challenging to address. In this review, we focused on the use of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate widely used in biomedical research, as a model for detecting the effects of chemical mixtures with a focus on behaviour. Our aim was to summarize the current status of the ecotoxicological research in this sector. Specifically, we limited our research to the period between January 2012 and September 2023, including only those works aimed at detecting neurotoxicity through behavioural endpoints, utilizing zebrafish at one or more developmental stages, from egg to adult. Additionally, we gathered the findings for every group of chemicals involved and summarised data from all the works we included. At the end of the screening process 101 papers were considered eligible for inclusion. Results show a growing interest in zebrafish at all life stages for this kind of research in the last decade. Also, a wide variety of different assays, involving different senses, was used in the works we surveyed, with exposures ranging from acute to chronic. In conclusion, the results of this study show the versatility of zebrafish as a model for the detection of mixture toxicity although, for what concerns behavioural analysis, the lack of standardisation of methods and endpoints might still be limiting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin di Domenico
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ines Lacchetti
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cafiero
- Environmental Risk Assessment, Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Aurora Mancini
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Carere
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Mancini
- Ecohealth Unit, Environment and Health Department, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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18
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Derkaczew M, Kędziora B, Potoczna M, Podlasz P, Wąsowicz K, Jóźwik M, Wojtkiewicz J. The Study of Myo-Inositol's Anxiolytic Activity on Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). Nutrients 2024; 16:1997. [PMID: 38999746 PMCID: PMC11243623 DOI: 10.3390/nu16131997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myo-inositol (MI) is the most abundant inositol found in nature. To date MI supplementation is reported to be effective in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, it is also suggested to alleviate the symptoms of diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, but to date no statistically significant effects of inositol on depressive and anxiety symptoms were proven. In the study of anxiolytic effects in zebrafish, we often use the thigmotaxis index measuring the ratio of the amount of time the animal spends near the walls compared to the entire arena. AIM The objective of this paper was to examine the effect of MI on zebrafish embryos' locomotor activity, as well as its potential anxiolytic activity in zebrafish larvae. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the first part of the experiment, the embryos were incubated with 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL MI. 1-day post fertilization, embryo mobility was evaluated and burst activity was calculated. In the next part of the study, the behavior of 5-day-old larvae was tested. RESULTS Tests on embryo movement showed an increase in burst activity in the MI group at concentrations of 40 mg/mL (p < 0.0001) and a slight decrease in the group at concentrations of 10 mg/mL (p < 0.05). MI in the light/dark challenge had no impact on the thigmotaxis index. CONCLUSIONS MI was shown to not affect stress reduction in zebrafish larvae. Further research on the potential of MI and other stereoisomers is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Derkaczew
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
- Students' Scientific Club of Pathophysiologists, Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Bartosz Kędziora
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
- Students' Scientific Club of Pathophysiologists, Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Potoczna
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Piotr Podlasz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Wąsowicz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Marcin Jóźwik
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-045 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Joanna Wojtkiewicz
- Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
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19
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Oger MJL, Vermeulen O, Lambert J, Madanu TL, Kestemont P, Cornet V. Down to size: Exploring the influence of plastic particle Dimensions on physiological and nervous responses in early-stage zebrafish. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 351:124094. [PMID: 38703983 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The chorion is the first protective barrier set to prevent numerous pollutants from damaging the developing embryo. However, depending on their size, some nanoplastics (NPs) can pass through this barrier and reach the embryo, while all microplastics (MPs) remain on the outside. This study brings a straight approach to compare MPs and NPs, and assess their direct and indirect effects on zebrafish embryos and larvae. Zebrafish eggs were exposed before 2 h post fertilization (hpf) to polystyrene MPs (5 μm) and NPs (250 nm) at a concentration of 1000 μg/L until 96 hpf. Physiotoxicity and neurotoxicity were assessed prior and post-hatching through several biomarkers. Response to hypoxia (upregulation of hif-1aa and hif-1ab) were found in embryos exposed to MPs, and partly found in those exposed to NPs. Embryos exposed to NPs showed significant tachycardia, reduced O2 consumption and increased apoptosis in the eyes, whereas MPs affected the expressions of all genes related to the neurodevelopment of embryos (elavl3, pax2a, pax6a, act1b). Post-hatching, physiological responses were muted. MPs and NPs exposures ended by evaluating larval behaviours during dark-and-light cycles. Both sizes of plastic particles negatively affected the visual motor response (VMR) and vibrational startle response (VSR). Thigmotaxis levels were significantly increased by NPs whereas MPs showed anxiolytic properties. This study shows that both MPs and NPs affect the physiology and neurodevelopment of zebrafish at different levels, before and after hatching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde J L Oger
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium.
| | - Océane Vermeulen
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - Jérôme Lambert
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - Thomas L Madanu
- Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry (CMI), University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - Patrick Kestemont
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium
| | - Valérie Cornet
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles, 61-B-5000, Namur, Belgium
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20
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Hernández Díaz M, Galar Martínez M, García Medina S, Cortés López A, Ruiz Lara K, Cano Viveros S, García Medina AL, Pérez-Pastén Borja R, Rosales Pérez KE, Gómez Oliván LM, Raldúa D, Bedrossiantz J. Polluted water from a storage dam (Villa Victoria, méxico) induces oxidative damage, AChE activity, embryotoxicity, and behavioral changes in Cyprinus carpio larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 258:119282. [PMID: 38823611 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The Villa Victoria dam is one of the most important storage reservoirs in Mexico since it distributes water to more than 20 million inhabitants in the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City. In this dam, the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an important food resource for the inhabitants, so the aim of this work was to evaluate the oxidative damage (lipoperoxidation, oxidized proteins, antioxidant enzymes activity and gene expression), AChE, embryotoxicity and behavioral changes in C. carpio embryos and larvae exposed to water from Villa Victoria dam for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The embryotoxicity was evaluated trough the General Morphology Score (GMS) and the teratogenic index. Behavioral changes in basal locomotor activity and thigmotaxis were evaluated in a DanioVision, Noldus ™. An increase in lipid and protein oxidation as well as modification of CAT, SOD and GPx enzymatic activity was observed during the exposure times. The GMS indicated a low development in the embryos, the teratogenic index was less than 1, however teratogenic effects as yolk edema, fin malformation, head malformation and scoliosis were observed. In parallel, an increase in AChE activity and gene expression was observed reflecting changes in distance traveled of the basal locomotor activity and thigmotaxis at the sampling points. In conclusion, pollutants in water from Villa Victoria dam caused oxidative damage, changes in SOD, CAT, GPx and AChE activity as well as embryotoxicity and modifications in the behavior of C. carpio larvae. This study demonstrates the need to implement restoration programs for this reservoir since, contamination in the Villa Victoria dam could eventually endanger aquatic life and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misael Hernández Díaz
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Marcela Galar Martínez
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Sandra García Medina
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra Cortés López
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Karina Ruiz Lara
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Selene Cano Viveros
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Alba Lucero García Medina
- Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738, Mexico.
| | - Ricardo Pérez-Pastén Borja
- Laboratory of Molecular Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Wilfrido Massieu, Delegación Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07738.
| | - Karina Elisa Rosales Pérez
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Intersección de Paseo Colón y Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Leobardo Manuel Gómez Oliván
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma Del Estado de México, Intersección de Paseo Colón y Paseo Tollocan, Colonia Residencial Colón, 50120 Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
| | - Demetrio Raldúa
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, España, Mexico.
| | - Juliette Bedrossiantz
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, España, Mexico.
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21
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Sridhar G, Vergassola M, Marques JC, Orger MB, Costa AC, Wyart C. Uncovering multiscale structure in the variability of larval zebrafish navigation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.16.594521. [PMID: 38798455 PMCID: PMC11118365 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.16.594521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Animals chain movements into long-lived motor strategies, resulting in variability that ultimately reflects the interplay between internal states and environmental cues. To reveal structure in such variability, we build models that bridges across time scales that enable a quantitative comparison of behavioral phenotypes among individuals. Applied to larval zebrafish exposed to diverse sensory cues, we uncover a hierarchy of long-lived motor strategies, dominated by changes in orientation distinguishing cruising and wandering strategies. Environmental cues induce preferences along these modes at the population level: while fish cruise in the light, they wander in response to aversive (dark) stimuli or in search for prey. Our method enables us to encode the behavioral dynamics of each individual fish in the transitions among coarse-grained motor strategies. By doing so, we uncover a hierarchical structure to the phenotypic variability that corresponds to exploration-exploitation trade-offs. Within a wide range of sensory cues, a major source of variation among fish is driven by prior and immediate exposure to prey that induces exploitation phenotypes. However, a large degree of variability is unexplained by environmental cues, pointing to hidden states that override the sensory context to induce contrasting exploration-exploitation phenotypes. Altogether, our approach extracts the timescales of motor strategies deployed during navigation, exposing undiscovered structure among individuals and pointing to internal states tuned by prior experience.
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22
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Hong Y, Sourander C, Hackl B, Patton JS, John J, Paatero I, Coffey E. Jnk1 and downstream signalling hubs regulate anxiety-like behaviours in a zebrafish larvae phenotypic screen. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11174. [PMID: 38750129 PMCID: PMC11096340 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61337-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for anxiety and depression show limited efficacy in many patients, indicating the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms. JNK1 has been shown to regulate anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours in mice, however the effectors downstream of JNK1 are not known. Here we compare the phosphoproteomes from wild-type and Jnk1-/- mouse brains and identify JNK1-regulated signalling hubs. We next employ a zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae behavioural assay to identify an antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like (AA) phenotype based on 2759 measured stereotypic responses to clinically proven antidepressant and anxiolytic (AA) drugs. Employing machine learning, we classify an AA phenotype from extracted features measured during and after a startle battery in fish exposed to AA drugs. Using this classifier, we demonstrate that structurally independent JNK inhibitors replicate the AA phenotype with high accuracy, consistent with findings in mice. Furthermore, pharmacological targeting of JNK1-regulated signalling hubs identifies AKT, GSK-3, 14-3-3 ζ/ε and PKCε as downstream hubs that phenocopy clinically proven AA drugs. This study identifies AKT and related signalling molecules as mediators of JNK1-regulated antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like behaviours. Moreover, the assay shows promise for early phase screening of compounds with anti-stress-axis properties and for mode of action analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Hong
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Christel Sourander
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Benjamin Hackl
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jedidiah S Patton
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jismi John
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Ilkka Paatero
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Eleanor Coffey
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, 20520, Turku, Finland.
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23
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Yeramilli V, Rizek CS, Graham J, Taylor C, Cheddadi R, Patterson S, Watts S, Martin C. Parental preconception stress in zebrafish induces long-lasting anxiety in offspring. Physiol Behav 2024; 277:114477. [PMID: 38301945 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The growth and function of the vertebrate brain are impacted by environmental stimuli and early life stress. Adults who experience chronic stress during early life are more likely to suffer various neurodevelopmental and health issues. However, our understanding of how these specific environmental signals at different developmental stages affect brain development is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated if stress in parents prior to conception modulates neurodevelopment in offspring. We used a chronic unpredictable stress model adapted to zebrafish, which is an increasingly popular vertebrate model in neuroscience research to investigate the effects of both maternal and paternal preconception stress on offspring behavior. We evaluated the responsiveness of three anxiety-related behavioral paradigms in zebrafish: the novel tank test, thigmotaxis, and shoaling behavior. We found larvae from stressed females exhibited anxiety-like behavior in a thigmotaxis assay. As these larvae matured into adults, they continued to exhibit anxiety-like behavior in a novel tank and shoaling behavioral assay. These studies indicate preconception stress exposure in parents can induce life-long alterations in offspring neurodevelopment. Further, these results expand the hypothesis that chronically elevated glucocorticoid signaling not only in stressed mothers, but also stressed dads can affect neurodevelopment in offspring. We propose that zebrafish may be a useful model to study the transgenerational effects of chronic stress mediated via the maternal and paternal line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Yeramilli
- Dept of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, US
| | | | - Jessica Graham
- Dept of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, US
| | - Christopher Taylor
- Dept of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, US
| | - Riadh Cheddadi
- Dept of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, US
| | - Sophie Patterson
- Dept of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, US
| | - Stephen Watts
- Dept of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, US
| | - Colin Martin
- Dept of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, US.
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24
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Sousa B, Domingues I, Nunes B. Biological responses in Danio rerio by the disinfectant SDBS in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 107:104431. [PMID: 38554987 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The use of disinfectants, such as Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonic acid salt (SDBS), has grown since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, with environmentally unknown consequences. The present study analyzed SDBS effects in the fish species Danio rerio, using a combination of biomarkers. Our data reported that larvae had their total locomotor activity increased when exposed to 1 mg/L of SDBS, but this parameter was decreased in fish exposed to 5 mg/L. A significant increment of erratic movements was reported in fish exposed to 1 and 5 mg/L of SDBS. These concentrations inhibited CYP1A1/CYP1A2, and of GSTs inhibition, suggesting SDBS is not preferentially biotransformed by these routes. Results concerning the antioxidant defense biomarkers (CAT and GPx) showed no straightforward pattern, suggesting SDBS exposure may have resulted in changes in redox balance. Finally, acetylcholinesterase activity increased. In summary, increased use of SDBS in a near future may result in deleterious effects in environmentally exposed fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Sousa
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Bruno Nunes
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal.
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25
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Li SY, Shi WJ, Ma DD, Zhang JG, Lu ZJ, Long XB, Liu X, Huang CS, Ying GG. Effects of New Psychoactive Substance Esketamine on Behaviors and Transcription of Genes in Dopamine and GABA Pathways in Zebrafish Larvae. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:51. [PMID: 38556558 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Esketamine (ESK) is the S-enantiomer of ketamine racemate (a new psychoactive substance) that can result in illusions, and alter hearing, vision, and proprioception in human and mouse. Up to now, the neurotoxicity caused by ESK at environmental level in fish is still unclear. This work studied the effects of ESK on behaviors and transcriptions of genes in dopamine and GABA pathways in zebrafish larvae at ranging from 12.4 ng L- 1 to 11141.1 ng L- 1 for 7 days post fertilization (dpf). The results showed that ESK at 12.4 ng L- 1 significantly reduced the touch response of the larvae at 48 hpf. ESK at 12.4 ng L- 1 also reduced the time and distance of larvae swimming at the outer zone during light period, which implied that ESK might potentially decrease the anxiety level of larvae. In addition, ESK increased the transcription of th, ddc, drd1a, drd3 and drd4a in dopamine pathway. Similarly, ESK raised the transcription of slc6a1b, slc6a13 and slc12a2 in GABA pathway. This study suggested that ESK could affect the heart rate and behaviors accompanying with transcriptional alterations of genes in DA and GABA pathways at early-staged zebrafish, which resulted in neurotoxicity in zebrafish larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ying Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wen-Jun Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Dong-Dong Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jin-Ge Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Jie Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Long
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province and National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Psychoactive Substances Monitoring and Safety, Guangzhou, 510230, China
| | - Chu-Shu Huang
- Anti-Drug Technology Center of Guangdong Province and National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Psychoactive Substances Monitoring and Safety, Guangzhou, 510230, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, SCNU Environmental Research Institute, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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26
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Liao XL, Chen ZF, Ou SP, Liu QY, Lin SH, Zhou JM, Wang Y, Cai Z. Neurological impairment is crucial for tire rubber-derived contaminant 6PPDQ-induced acute toxicity to rainbow trout. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:621-635. [PMID: 38185590 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6PPDQ) has attracted significant attention due to its highly acute lethality to sensitive salmonids. However, studies investigating the mechanisms underlying its acute toxicity have been lacking. In this work, we demonstrated the sensitivity of rainbow trout to 6PPDQ-induced mortality. Moribund trout exhibited significantly higher brain concentrations of 6PPDQ compared to surviving trout. In an in vitro model using human brain microvascular endothelial cells, 6PPDQ can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and enhance blood-brain barrier permeability without compromising cell viability. The time spent in the top of the tank increased with rising 6PPDQ concentrations, as indicated by locomotion behavior tests. Furthermore, 6PPDQ influenced neurotransmitter levels and mRNA expression of neurotransmission-related genes in the brain and exhibited strong binding affinity to target neurotransmission-related proteins using computational simulations. The integrated biomarker response value associated with neurotoxicity showed a positive linear correlation with trout mortality. These findings significantly contribute to filling the knowledge gap between neurological impairments and apical outcomes, including behavioral effects and mortality, induced by 6PPDQ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Liang Liao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi-Feng Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Shi-Ping Ou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Qian-Yi Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Shan-Hong Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jia-Ming Zhou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zongwei Cai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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27
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Torres-Ruiz M, Suárez OJ, López V, Marina P, Sanchis A, Liste I, de Alba M, Ramos V. Effects of 700 and 3500 MHz 5G radiofrequency exposure on developing zebrafish embryos. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:169475. [PMID: 38199355 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Telecommunications industries are rapidly deploying the fifth generation (5G) spectrum and there is public concern about the safety and health impacts of this type of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR), in part because of the lack of comparable scientific evidence. In this study we have used a validated commercially available setting producing a uniform field to expose zebrafish embryos (ZFe) to unmodulated 700 and 3500 MHz frequencies. We have combined a battery of toxicity, developmental and behavioral assays to further explore potential RFR effects. Our neurobehavioral profiles include a tail coiling assay, a light/dark activity assay, two thigmotaxis anxiety assays (auditory and visual stimuli), and a startle response - habituation assay in response to auditory stimuli. ZFe were exposed for 1 and 4 h during the blastula period of development and endpoints evaluated up to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). Our results show no effects on mortality, hatching or body length. However, we have demonstrated specific organ morphological effects, and behavioral effects in activity, anxiety-like behavior, and habituation that lasted in larvae exposed during the early embryonic period. A decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was also observed and could explain some of the observed behavioral alterations. Interestingly, effects were more pronounced in ZFe exposed to the 700 MHz frequency, and especially for the 4 h exposure period. In addition, we have demonstrated that our exposure setup is robust, flexible with regard to frequency and power testing, and highly comparable. Future work will include exposure of ZFe to 5G modulated signals for different time periods to better understand the potential health effects of novel 5G RFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Torres-Ruiz
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Oscar J Suárez
- Radio Frequency Laboratory, Telecommunications General Secretary and Audiovisual Communication Services Ordenation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria López
- Chronical Diseases Research Functional Unit (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Pablo Marina
- Telemedicine and eHealth Research Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 5, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Aránzazu Sanchis
- Non-Ionizing Radiation Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Isabel Liste
- Chronical Diseases Research Functional Unit (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Mercedes de Alba
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain
| | - Victoria Ramos
- Telemedicine and eHealth Research Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Avda. Monforte de Lemos, 5, Madrid 28029, Spain.
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28
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Wang J, Yu Z, Wang Y, Chen Y, Xiao L, Zong Y, Feng Q, Peng L, Zhang H, Liu C. Ethylene thiourea exposure induces neurobehavioral toxicity in zebrafish by disrupting axon growth and neuromuscular junctions. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 137:108-119. [PMID: 37980000 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene thiourea (ETU) converted from ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicides has aroused great concern because of its prevalence and harmful effects. Although ETU-induced neurotoxicity has been reported, the potential mechanisms remain unclear. This study provided insights into its neurotoxic effects at environmentally relevant concentrations in zebrafish. Our findings showed that embryonic exposure to ETU decreased the hatch rate and delayed somite development. Furthermore, ETU treatment significantly reduced the dark velocity in the locomotion assay. The upregulated tendency of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway (mknk1, atf4, mapkapk3) screened by transcriptome analysis implied motor neuron degeneration, which was validated by subsequent morphological observation, as axon length and branches were truncated in the 62.5 µg/L ETU group. However, although the rescue experiment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) successfully ameliorated axon degeneration, it failed to reverse the locomotion behaviors. Further exploration of transcriptome data revealed the varied expression of presynaptic scaffold protein-related genes (pcloa, pclob, bsna), whose downregulation might impair the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Therefore, we reasonably suspected that ETU-induced neurobehavioral deficits might result from the combined effects of the MAPK pathway and presynaptic proteins. Considering this, we highlighted the necessity to take precautions and early interventions for susceptible ETU-exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingming Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Zhiquan Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yongfeng Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yuanyao Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lin Xiao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Yanjun Zong
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Qiyuan Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Lianqi Peng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Huiping Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Chunyan Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Merola C, Caioni G, Bertolucci C, Lucon-Xiccato T, Savaşçı BB, Tait S, Casella M, Camerini S, Benedetti E, Perugini M. Embryonic and larval exposure to propylparaben induces developmental and long-term neurotoxicity in zebrafish model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168925. [PMID: 38040379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Parabens are preservatives found in cosmetics, processed foods, and medications. The harmful repercussions on the central nervous system by one of the most common parabens, propylparaben (PrP), are yet unknown, especially during development. In this study, the neurodevelopmental effects of PrP and long-term neurotoxicity were investigated in the zebrafish model, using an integrated approach. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to two different concentrations of PrP (10 and 1000 μg/L), then larvae were examined for their behavioral phenotypes (open-field behavior, startle response, and circadian rhythmicity) and relevant brain markers (cyp19a1b, pax6a, shank3a, and gad1b). Long-term behavioral and cognitive impacts on sociability, cerebral functional asymmetry and thigmotaxis were also examined on juveniles at 30 dpf and 60 dpf. Moreover, proteomics and gene expression analysis were assessed in brains of 60 dpf zebrafish. Interestingly, thigmotaxis was decreased by the high dose in larvae and increased by the low dose in juveniles. The expression of shank3a and gad1b genes was repressed by both PrP concentrations pointing to possible effects of PrP on neurodevelopment and synaptogenesis. Proteomics analysis evidenced alterations related to brain development and lipid metabolism. Overall, the results demonstrated that early-life exposure to PrP promotes developmental and persistent neurobehavioral alterations in the zebrafish model, affecting genes and protein levels possibly associated with brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Merola
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Giulia Caioni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Beste Başak Savaşçı
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Tait
- Gender-specific prevention and health Unit, Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marialuisa Casella
- Mass Spectrometry Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Serena Camerini
- Mass Spectrometry Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Benedetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Monia Perugini
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
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Hodorovich DR, Fryer Harris T, Burton DF, Neese KM, Bieler RA, Chudasama V, Marsden KC. Effects of 4 Testing Arena Sizes and 11 Types of Embryo Media on Sensorimotor Behaviors in Wild-Type and chd7 Mutant Zebrafish Larvae. Zebrafish 2024; 21:1-14. [PMID: 38301171 PMCID: PMC10902501 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The larval zebrafish is a highly versatile model across research disciplines, and the expanding use of behavioral analysis has contributed to many advances in neuropsychiatric, developmental, and toxicological studies, often through large-scale chemical and genetic screens. In the absence of standardized approaches to larval zebrafish behavior analysis, however, it is critical to understand the impact on behavior of experimental variables such as the size of testing arenas and the choice of embryo medium. Using a custom-built, modular high-throughput testing system, we examined the effects of 4 testing arena sizes and 11 types of embryo media on conserved sensorimotor behaviors in zebrafish larvae. Our data show that testing arena size impacts acoustic startle sensitivity and kinematics, as well as spontaneous locomotion and thigmotaxis, with fish tested in larger arenas displaying reduced startle sensitivity and increased locomotion. We also find that embryo media can dramatically affect startle sensitivity, kinematics, habituation, and prepulse inhibition, as well as spontaneous swimming, turning, and overall activity. Common medium components such as methylene blue and high calcium concentration consistently reduced startle sensitivity and locomotion. To further address how the choice of embryo medium can impact phenotype expression in zebrafish models of disease, we reared chd7 mutant larvae, a model of CHARGE syndrome with previously characterized morphological and behavioral phenotypes, in five different types of media and observed impacts on all phenotypes. By defining the effects of these key extrinsic factors on larval zebrafish behavior, these data can help researchers select the most appropriate conditions for their specific research questions, particularly for genetic and chemical screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Hodorovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tiara Fryer Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Derek F Burton
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katie M Neese
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachael A Bieler
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vimal Chudasama
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kurt C Marsden
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Prakash V, Chauhan SS, Ansari MI, Jagdale P, Ayanur A, Parthasarathi R, Anbumani S. 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor induced neurobehavioral toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117746. [PMID: 38008201 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) is a widely used organic UV filter in personal care products. Extensive use of 4-MBC and its frequent detection in aquatic ecosystems defile the biota with muscular and neuronal impairments. This study investigates the neurobehavioral toxicity of 4-MBC using Danio rerio as a model organism. Embryos were exposed semi-statically to 4-MBC at 5, 50, and 500 μg/L concentrations for 10-day post fertilization (dpf). Embryos exhibited a significant thigmotaxis and decreased startle touch response with altered expression of nervous system mRNA transcripts on 5 & 10 dpf. Compared to the sham-exposed group, 4-MBC treated larvae exhibited changes in the expression of shha, ngn1, mbp, elavl3, α1-tubulin, syn2a, and gap43 genes. Since ngn1 induction is mediated by shh signaling during sensory neuron specification, the elevated protein expression of NGN1 indicates 4-MBC interference in the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. This leads to sensory neuron impairment and function such as 'sense' as evident from reduced touch response. In addition, larval brain histology with a reduced number of cells in the Purkinje layer emblazing the defunct motor coordination. Predictive toxicity study also showed a higher affinity of 4-MBC to modeled Shh protein. Thus, the findings of the present work highlighted that 4-MBC is potential to induce developmental neurotoxicity at both behavioral and molecular functional perspectives, and developing D. rerio larvae could be considered as a suitable alternate animal model to assess the neurological dysfunction of organic UV filters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ved Prakash
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, "Vishvigyan Bhawan", 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No.80, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Shweta Singh Chauhan
- Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, "Vishvigyan Bhawan", 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No.80, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Mohammad Imran Ansari
- Food Drug and Chemical Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Pankaj Jagdale
- Pathology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India
| | - Anjaneya Ayanur
- Pathology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Ramakrishnan Parthasarathi
- Computational Toxicology Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, "Vishvigyan Bhawan", 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No.80, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Sadasivam Anbumani
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, "Vishvigyan Bhawan", 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, P.O. Box No.80, Lucknow, 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
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32
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Salahinejad A, Meuthen D, Attaran A, Niyogi S, Chivers DP, Ferrari MCO. Maternal exposure to bisphenol S reduces anxiety and impairs collective antipredator behavior of male zebrafish (Danio rerio) offspring through dysregulation of their serotonergic system. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 267:106800. [PMID: 38183773 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Bisphenol S (BPS) is a common endocrine-disrupting chemical globally used in several consumer and industrial products. Although previous studies suggested that BPS induces multiple effects in exposed organisms, very little is known about its intergenerational effect on offspring behavior and/or the potential underlying mechanisms. To this end, adult female zebrafish Danio rerio were exposed to BPS (0, 10, 30 µg/L) and 1 µg/L of 17-β-estradiol (E2) as a positive control for 60 days. Afterwards, female fish were bred with untreated males, and their offspring were raised to 6 months old in control water. Maternal exposure to BPS decreased male offspring anxiety and antipredator behaviors while boldness remained unaffected. Specifically, maternal exposure to 10 and 30 µg/L BPS and 1 µg/L E2 were found to impact male offspring anxiety levels as they decreased the total time that individuals spent in the dark zone in the light/dark box test and increased the total track length in the center of the open field test. In addition, maternal exposure to all concentrations of BPS and E2 disrupted antipredator responses of male offspring by decreasing shoal cohesion in the presence of chemical alarm cues derived from conspecifics, which communicated high risk. To elucidate the possible molecular mechanism underlying these neuro-behavioral effects of BPS, we assessed the serotonergic system via changes in mRNA expression of serotonin receptors, including the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D subtypes, the serotonin transporter and monoamine oxidase (MAO). The impaired anxiety and antipredator responses were associated with reduced levels of 5-HT1A subtype and MAO mRNA expression within the brain of adult male offspring. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that maternal exposure to environmental concentrations of BPS can interfere with the serotonergic signaling pathway in the developing brain, subsequently leading to the onset of a suite of behavioral deficits in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Salahinejad
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
| | - Denis Meuthen
- Evolutionary Biology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld 33615, Germany
| | - Anoosha Attaran
- Robart Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A5K8, Canada
| | - Som Niyogi
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Douglas P Chivers
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Maud C O Ferrari
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada
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Lebel A, Zhang L, Gonçalves D. Chemical and Visual Cues as Modulators of the Stress Response to Social Isolation in the Marine Medaka, Oryzias melastigma. Zebrafish 2024; 21:15-27. [PMID: 38377346 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The marine medaka is emerging as a potential behavioral model organism for ocean studies, namely on marine ecotoxicology. However, not much is known on the behavior of the species and behavioral assays lack standardization. This study assesses the marine medaka as a potential model for chemical communication. We investigated how short exposure to visual and chemical cues mediated the stress response to social isolation with the light/dark preference test (LDPT) and the open field test (OFT). After a 5-day isolation period, and 1 h before testing, isolated fish were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) placed in visual contact with conspecifics; (2) exposed to a flow of holding water from a group of conspecifics; (3) exposed to both visual and chemical cues from conspecifics; or (4) not exposed to any stimuli (controls). During the LDPT, the distance traveled and transitions between zones were more pronounced in animals exposed to the conspecific's chemical stimuli. The time spent in each area did not differ between the groups, but a clear preference for the bright area in all animals indicates robust phototaxis. During the OFT, animals exposed only to chemical cues initially traveled more than those exposed to visual or both stimuli, and displayed lower thigmotaxis. Taken together, results show that chemical cues play a significant role in exploratory behavior in this species and confirm the LDPT and OFT as suitable tests for investigating chemical communication in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Lebel
- Institute of Science and Environment, University of Saint Joseph, Macao, China
| | - Libin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
- College of Marine Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David Gonçalves
- Institute of Science and Environment, University of Saint Joseph, Macao, China
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Zhang Q, Li F, Li T, Lin J, Jian J, Zhang Y, Chen X, Liu T, Gou S, Zhang Y, Liu X, Ji Y, Wang X, Li Q. Nomo1 deficiency causes autism-like behavior in zebrafish. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:570-592. [PMID: 38253686 PMCID: PMC10897165 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-023-00036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often exhibit a combination of clinical symptoms such as autism, epilepsy, or schizophrenia, complicating diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies. Functional studies of novel genes associated with co-morbidities can provide clues to understand the pathogenic mechanisms and interventions. NOMO1 is one of the candidate genes located at 16p13.11, a hotspot of neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we generate nomo1-/- zebrafish to get further insight into the function of NOMO1. Nomo1 mutants show abnormal brain and neuronal development and activation of apoptosis and inflammation-related pathways in the brain. Adult Nomo1-deficient zebrafish exhibit multiple neuropsychiatric behaviors such as hyperactive locomotor activity, social deficits, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors. The Habenular nucleus and the pineal gland in the telencephalon are affected, and the melatonin level of nomo1-/- is reduced. Melatonin treatment restores locomotor activity, reduces repetitive stereotypic behaviors, and rescues the noninfectious brain inflammatory responses caused by nomo1 deficiency. These results suggest melatonin supplementation as a potential therapeutic regimen for neuropsychiatric disorders caused by NOMO1 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Jian
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinglan Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Xudong Chen
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenglan Gou
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawen Zhang
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuyun Liu
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongxia Ji
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China
| | - Xu Wang
- Cancer Institute, Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, 200032, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, 200032, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Translational Medical Center for Development and Disease, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect Prevention and Control, NHC Key Laboratory of Neonatal Diseases, Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, 210013, Shanghai, China.
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35
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Gericke J, Harvey BH, Pretorius L, Ollewagen T, Benecke RM, Smith C. Sceletium tortuosum-derived mesembrine significantly contributes to the anxiolytic effect of Zembrin®, but its anti-depressant effect may require synergy of multiple plant constituents. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117113. [PMID: 37660956 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N.E.Br. (ST) is an alkaloid-rich succulent plant with various mechanisms of action that infer psychotropic effects. These actions correlate with clinical evidence suggesting efficacy in the treatment of depression and anxiety, in line with its use by indigenous populations. Its low side effect profile suggests potential of ST to improve the overall wellbeing and compliance of millions of patients that experience severe side effects and/or do not respond to current prescription medication. However, to elucidate specific physiological effects of ST extracts, it is necessary to first understand which of its constituents are the major contributors to beneficial effects demonstrated for ST in this context. AIM OF THE STUDY To determine an anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effective concentration of a ST extract by means of a dose response in zebrafish (ZF) larvae, and to assess relative contributions of equivalent concentrations of isolated alkaloids contained in the effective concentration(s). MATERIALS AND METHODS A dose response study employing a light-dark transition test (LDTT) was done in ZF larvae (<5 days post fertilization) to track locomotor activity in terms of anxiety-like (hyperlocomotion) and depression-like (hypolocomotion) behaviour. Larvae were treated for 1 h directly before the LDTT with escalating concentrations of a ST extract commercially known as Zembrin® (Zem) ranging from 0.25 to 500 μg/mL and compared to an untreated control group (n = 12 per treatment concentration). LDTT was repeated after 24 h to evaluate long-term exposure toxicity. The concentration that best attenuated hyperlocomotion during the dark phase following light-dark transition was identified as the anxiolytic-like concentration. This concentration, plus one higher and one lower concentration, were used for subsequent tests. The percentage content of each alkaloid (mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembrenol, and mesembranol) in these concentrations were calculated and applied to additional larvae to identify the most effective anxiolytic-like alkaloid in the LDTT. To identify antidepressant-like therapeutic concentration and equivalent alkaloid concentration, the same treatment concentrations were tested in larvae (n = 12 per treatment concentration) pre-exposed to reserpine for 24 h. Depending on normality of data distribution, Brown-Forsythe and Welch, or Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA were used, with Dunnett or Dunn's multiple comparisons tests. RESULTS Only the extreme concentration of Zem (500 μg/mL) elicited toxicity after treatment for 24 h. Zem 12.5 μg/mL was the most effective anxiolytic-like concentration as it significantly decreased locomotor activity (P = 0.05) in the LDTT. Low (5 μg/mL), optimal (12.5 μg/mL) and high (25 μg/mL) Zem concentrations, as well as treatment solutions of single alkaloids (mesembrine, mesembrenone, mesembranol and mesembrenol), prepared to contain equivalent concentrations of each major alkaloid contained within these three concentrations of Zem, were tested further. Only mesembrine concentrations equal to that contained within the optimal and high dose of Zem (12.5 and 25 μg/mL) showed significant anxiolytic-like effects (P < 0.05). Only the highest Zem concentration (25 μg/mL) reversed the effects of reserpine - indicating antidepressant-like properties (P < 0.05) - while isolated alkaloids failed to induce such effects when administered in isolation. CONCLUSIONS Current data provide evidence of both anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effect of whole extract of Zem, with relatively higher concentrations required to achieve antidepressant-like effect. Of all alkaloids assessed, only mesembrine contributed significantly to the anxiolytic-like effects of Zem. No alkaloid alone could be pinpointed as a contributor to the antidepressant-like activity observed for higher concentration Zem. This may be due to synergistic effects of the alkaloids or may be due to other components not tested here. Current data warrants further investigation into mechanisms of action, as well as potential synergy, of ST alkaloids in suitable mammalian in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johané Gericke
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa; South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Lesha Pretorius
- Experimental Medicine Research Group, Dept of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Tracey Ollewagen
- Experimental Medicine Research Group, Dept of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Rohan M Benecke
- Division Clinical Pharmacology, Dept of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Carine Smith
- Experimental Medicine Research Group, Dept of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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36
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Mariën V, Piskin I, Zandecki C, Van houcke J, Arckens L. Age-related alterations in the behavioral response to a novel environment in the African turquoise killifish ( Nothobranchius furzeri). Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 17:1326674. [PMID: 38259633 PMCID: PMC10800983 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1326674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) has emerged as a popular model organism for neuroscience research in the last decade. One of the reasons for its popularity is its short lifespan for a vertebrate organism. However, little research has been carried out using killifish in behavioral tests, especially looking at changes in their behavior upon aging. Therefore, we used the open field and the novel tank diving test to unravel killifish locomotion, exploration-related behavior, and behavioral changes over their adult lifespan. The characterization of this behavioral baseline is important for future experiments involving pharmacology to improve the aging phenotype. In this study, two cohorts of fish were used, one cohort was tested in the open field test and one cohort was tested in the novel tank diving test. Each cohort was tested from the age of 6 weeks to the age of 24 weeks and measurements were performed every three weeks. In the open field test, we found an increase in the time spent in the center zone from 18 weeks onward, which could indicate altered exploration behavior. However, upon aging, the fish also showed an increased immobility frequency and duration. In addition, after the age of 15 weeks, their locomotion decreased. In the novel tank diving test, we did not observe this aging effect on locomotion or exploration. Killifish spent around 80% of their time in the bottom half of the tank, and we could not observe habituation effects, indicating slow habituation to novel environments. Moreover, we observed that killifish showed homebase behavior in both tests. These homebases are mostly located near the edges of the open field test and at the bottom of the novel tank diving test. Altogether, in the open field test, the largest impact of aging on locomotion and exploration was observed beyond the age of 15 weeks. In the novel tank diving test, no effect of age was found. Therefore, to test the effects of pharmacology on innate behavior, the novel tank diving test is ideally suited because there is no confounding effect of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Mariën
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ilayda Piskin
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Zandecki
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jolien Van houcke
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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37
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Valentim AM. Behavioral Profiling of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Larvae: Activity, Anxiety, Avoidance, and Startle Response. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2753:421-446. [PMID: 38285357 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3625-1_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Apart from morphological, biochemical, and genetic alterations induced by teratogen compounds, there is an increased interest in characterizing behavioral alterations. Behavior is a sensitive parameter that can provide information regarding developmental disruptions non-invasively. Behavioral disturbances interfere with animals' capacity to cope with the environment, having an impact on the organism's life. Hereby, behavioral assays consisting of recording larvae in multi-well plates, Petri dishes, or cuvettes and video analysis using adequate software, allowing teratogen screening of behavior, are proposed. Examples of how to evaluate locomotor, anxiety-like and avoidance-like behaviors, and the integrity of sensory-motor functions and learning are discussed in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Valentim
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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38
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Boopathi S, Haridevamuthu B, Gandhi A, Nayak SPRR, Sudhakaran G, Rajagopal R, Arokiyaraj S, Arockiaraj J. Neurobehavioral impairments from chromium exposure: Insights from a zebrafish model and drug validation. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 275:109780. [PMID: 37884255 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a zebrafish model to explore the alterations in neurobehaviors resulting from both acute and chronic exposure to chromium (Cr). Zebrafish exposed to half (HC group: 19.7 mg/L) and a quarter (LC group: 9.85 mg/L) of the LD50 concentration of Cr for a span of 2 weeks exhibited aberrant locomotion, heightened anxiety, cognitive impairment, and reduced aggression - hallmark traits reminiscent of an Alzheimer's Disease (AD)-like syndrome. Furthermore, zebrafish exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of Cr (EC group: 100 μg/L) for an extended period of 9 weeks exhibited behaviors comparable to those observed in the HC group. Moreover, the study investigated the neuroprotective effects of donepezil (Don), galantamine (Gal) and resveratrol (Res) drugs in response to neurobehavioral impairments induced by Cr (VI) exposure in zebrafish. Don and Res effectively protect the zebrafish from Cr (VI)-induced anxiety, and memory impairment. Furthermore, Cr (VI) exposure induced heightened oxidative stress while simultaneously diminishing antioxidant enzyme levels. Remarkably, these effects were counteracted in the drug-treated groups. Likewise, exposure to Cr (VI) led to an increase in the expression of genes linked to AD and neuroinflammation. Nevertheless, drug treatment reversed this effect in Cr (VI)-exposed fish. The results of our study highlight the potentials of zebrafish model in demonstrating neurobehavioral impairments induced by Cr (VI), thereby paving the way for its utilization in vivo neurobehaviors investigations and pharmaceutical screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seenivasan Boopathi
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India. https://twitter.com/@iamboopathi
| | - B Haridevamuthu
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Akash Gandhi
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S P Ramya Ranjan Nayak
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gokul Sudhakaran
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Rajakrishnan Rajagopal
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Selvaraj Arokiyaraj
- Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Humanities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Lucon-Xiccato T, Savaşçı BB, Merola C, Benedetti E, Caioni G, Aliko V, Bertolucci C, Perugini M. Environmentally relevant concentrations of triclocarban affect behaviour, learning, and brain gene expression in fish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166717. [PMID: 37657536 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Many chemicals spilled in aquatic ecosystems can interfere with cognitive abilities and brain functions that control fitness-related behaviour. Hence, their harmful potential may be substantially underestimated. Triclocarban (TCC), one of the most common aquatic contaminants, is known to disrupt hormonal activity, but the consequences of this action on behaviour and its underlying cognitive mechanisms are unclear. We tried to fill this knowledge gap by analysing behaviour, cognitive abilities, and brain gene expression in zebrafish larvae exposed to TCC sublethal concentrations. TCC exposure substantially decreased exploratory behaviour and response to stimulation, while it increased sociability. Additionally, TCC reduced the cognitive performance of zebrafish in a habituation learning task. In the brain of TCC-exposed zebrafish, we found upregulation of c-fos, a gene involved in neural activity, and downregulation of bdnf, a gene that influences behavioural and cognitive traits such as activity, learning, and memory. Overall, our experiments highlight consistent effects of non-lethal TCC concentrations on behaviour, cognitive abilities, and brain functioning in a teleost fish, suggesting critical fitness consequences of these compounds in aquatic ecosystems as well as the potential to affect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Beste Başak Savaşçı
- Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany; Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmine Merola
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Benedetti
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giulia Caioni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valbona Aliko
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Monia Perugini
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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40
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Fogliano C, Carotenuto R, Agnisola C, Simoniello P, Karam M, Manfredonia C, Avallone B, Motta CM. Benzodiazepine Delorazepam Induces Locomotory Hyperactivity and Alterations in Pedal Mucus Texture in the Freshwater Gastropod Planorbarius corneus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17070. [PMID: 38069390 PMCID: PMC10706940 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Benzodiazepines, psychotropic drugs, are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment due to over-consumption and inefficient removal by sewage treatment plants. Bioaccumulation with consequent behavioral and physiological effects has been reported in many aquatic species. However, the responses are species-specific and still poorly understood. To improve the knowledge, we exposed the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus to 1, 5, or 10 µg/L of delorazepam, the most widely consumed benzodiazepine in Italy. Conventional behavioral tests were used to assess the effects on locomotor and feeding behavior. Histological and biochemical analyses were also performed to detect possible changes in the structure and composition of the foot mucus and glands. The results show a paradoxical response with reduced feeding activity and locomotor hyperactivity. Pedal mucus was altered in texture but not in composition, becoming particularly rich in fibrous collagen-like material, and a significant change in the protein composition was highlighted in the foot. In conclusion, exposure to delorazepam induces disinhibited behavior in Planorbarius corneus, potentially increasing the risk of predation, and an increase in mucus protein production, which, together with reduced feeding activity, would severely compromise energy resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fogliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Rosa Carotenuto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Claudio Agnisola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Palma Simoniello
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples Parthenope, 80143 Naples, Italy;
| | - Myriam Karam
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Claudia Manfredonia
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Bice Avallone
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
| | - Chiara Maria Motta
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (C.F.); (R.C.); (C.A.); (M.K.); (C.M.); (C.M.M.)
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41
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Santos N, Oliveira M, Domingues I. Influence of exposure scenario on the sensitivity to caffeine. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:122808-122821. [PMID: 37978123 PMCID: PMC10724325 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30945-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The chorion acts as a protective barrier, restricting some chemical absorption into the embryo and the surrounding fluids. In this sense, larvae may only have direct contact with some chemicals after dechorionation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of caffeine (CAF) (0, 13, 20, 44, 67, and 100 mg.L-1) under different exposure scenarios (embryos with chorion or embryos/larvae already hatched) and rank the stage sensitivity. Thus, three scenarios were investigated: from 2 to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf) (5 days of exposure- 5dE), from 72 to 120 hpf (2dE), and from 96 to 120 hpf (1dE). Heart rate (48 hpf) and energy reserves (120 hpf) were measured in the 5dE scenario, and behavior and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were evaluated at 120 hpf in all scenarios (5dE, 2dE, and 1dE). At 120 hpf, some of the fish was transferred to clean medium for a 10 days depuration period (10dPE). Behavior and AChE activity were assessed after this period. In the 5dE scenario, CAF increased heartbeat (13, 20, and 30 mg.L-1) and reduced carbohydrates (67, and 100 mg.L-1), while inhibiting AChE activity (100 mg.L-1) in the 5dE, 2dE, and 1dE scenarios. CAF reduced the total distance moved in the 5dE (67, and 100 mg.L-1), 2dE (20, 30, 44, 67, and 100 mg.L-1), and 1dE fish (67, and 100 mg.L-1) and increased erratic movements. Based on the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for total distance moved (20 mg.L-1) and higher inhibition of AChE activity (100 mg.L-1) (65%), 2dE fish appear to be more sensitive to CAF. After 10dPE, a recovery in behavior was detected in all scenarios (5dE, 2dE, and 1dE). AChE activity remained inhibited in the 2dE scenario while increasing in the 1dE scenario. This study demonstrated that the presence of the chorion is an important factor for the analysis of CAF toxicity. After the loss of the chorion, organisms show greater sensitivity to CAF and can be used to evaluate the toxicity of various substances, including nanomaterials or chemicals with low capacity to cross the chorion. Therefore, the use of hatched embryos in toxicity tests is suggested, as they allow a shorter and less expensive exposure scenario that provides similar outcome as the conventional scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niedja Santos
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Deng J, Liu C, Hu M, Hu C, Lin J, Li Q, Xu X. Dynamic Regulation of brsk2 in the Social and Motor Development of Zebrafish: A Developmental Behavior Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16506. [PMID: 38003696 PMCID: PMC10671324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Both social and motor development play an essential role in an individual's physical, psychological, and social well-being. It is essential to conduct a dynamic analysis at multiple time points during the developmental process as it helps us better understand and evaluate the trajectory and changes in individual development. Recently, some studies found that mutations in the BRSK2 gene may contribute to motor impairments, delays in achieving motor milestones, and deficits in social behavior and communication skills in patients. However, little is known about the dynamic analysis of social and motor development at multiple time points during the development of the brsk2 gene. We generated a novel brsk2-deficient (brsk2ab-/-) zebrafish model through CRISPR/Cas9 editing and conducted comprehensive morphological and neurobehavioral evaluations, including that of locomotor behaviors, social behaviors, and anxiety behaviors from the larval to adult stages of development. Compared to wild-type zebrafish, brsk2ab-/- zebrafish exhibited a catch-up growth pattern of body length and gradually improved locomotor activities during the developmental process. In contrast, multimodal behavior tests showed that the brsk2ab-/- zebrafish displayed escalating social deficiency and anxiety-like behaviors over time. We reported for the first time that the brsk2 gene had dynamic regulatory effects on motor and social development. It helps us understand developmental trends, capture changes, facilitate early interventions, and provide personalized support and development opportunities for individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Deng
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.D.); (M.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Chunxue Liu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.D.); (M.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Meixin Hu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.D.); (M.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Chunchun Hu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.D.); (M.H.); (C.H.)
| | - Jia Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qiang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defect, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Xiu Xu
- Division of Child Health Care, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, National Children’s Medical Center, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China; (J.D.); (M.H.); (C.H.)
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43
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Fan YL, Hsu FR, Wang Y, Liao LD. Unlocking the Potential of Zebrafish Research with Artificial Intelligence: Advancements in Tracking, Processing, and Visualization. Med Biol Eng Comput 2023; 61:2797-2814. [PMID: 37558927 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-023-02903-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish have become a widely accepted model organism for biomedical research due to their strong cortisol stress response, behavioral strain differences, and sensitivity to both drug treatments and predators. However, experimental zebrafish studies generate substantial data that must be analyzed through objective, accurate, and repeatable analysis methods. Recently, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled automated tracking, image recognition, and data analysis, leading to more efficient and insightful investigations. In this review, we examine key AI applications in zebrafish research, including behavior analysis, genomics, and neuroscience. With the development of deep learning technology, AI algorithms have been used to precisely analyze and identify images of zebrafish, enabling automated testing and analysis. By applying AI algorithms in genomics research, researchers have elucidated the relationship between genes and biology, providing a better basis for the development of disease treatments and gene therapies. Additionally, the development of more effective neuroscience tools could help researchers better understand the complex neural networks in the zebrafish brain. In the future, further advancements in AI technology are expected to enable more extensive and in-depth medical research applications in zebrafish, improving our understanding of this important animal model. This review highlights the potential of AI technology in achieving the full potential of zebrafish research by enabling researchers to efficiently track, process, and visualize the outcomes of their experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ling Fan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
- Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung, 407, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Rong Hsu
- Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung, 407, Taiwan
| | - Yuhling Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National United University, 2, Lien-Da, Nan-Shih Li, Miaoli, 360302, Taiwan
| | - Lun-De Liao
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan.
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44
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Romero NG, Gutierrez G, Teixidó E, Li L, Klose J, Leung PC, Cañigueral S, Fritsche E, Barenys M. Developmental neurotoxicity evaluation of three Chinese herbal medicines in zebrafish larvae by means of two behavioral assays: Touch-evoked response and light/dark transition. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 121:108469. [PMID: 37673194 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is used among pregnant women. However, the question of its safety during pregnancy remains unclear. The use of these products relies on history of use data but there are specific toxicities like developmental neurotoxicity that are clearly understudied. Here we use the zebfrafish embryo developmental toxicity assay (ZEDTA) in combination with two behavioral assays: touch-evoked response and Light/Dark (L/D) transition assay to evaluate the neuro/developmental toxicity of three herbal products commonly used in CHM [Chinese name (abbreviation; part of the plant and Scientific name]: tian ma (TM; tuber form Gastrodia elata Blume), lei gong teng (LGT; root and rhizome of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f) and cha ye (green tea, leaves from Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze). In case significant alterations were detected, single components with potential exposure during pregnancy were identified in the literature and further tested. TM had no neurodevelopmental toxic potential in zebrafish embryos, while LGT and its main compounds triptolide and celastrol induced significant alterations in behavior. Developmental exposure to EGCG, the main catechin of green tea, also produced significant alterations in zebrafish embryos behavior after developmental exposure. A combination of ZEDTA with L/D Transition assay is proposed as a useful combination of alternative methods for DNT assessment of CHM products together with other New Approach Methodologies (NAMs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia G Romero
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain
| | - Gerard Gutierrez
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Teixidó
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain
| | - Lu Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong; National Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta, Zhejiang University, 314100, Jiaxing, China
| | - Jördis Klose
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ping Chung Leung
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong
| | - Salvador Cañigueral
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Farmacognòsia, i Terapèutica, Facultat de Farmàcia, i Ciències de l'Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ellen Fritsche
- IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; DNTOX GmbH, 40223 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marta Barenys
- GRET and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety of the University of Barcelona (INSA-UB), Spain; German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany.
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45
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Blanc-Legendre M, Sire S, Christophe A, Brion F, Bégout ML, Cousin X. Embryonic exposures to chemicals acting on brain aromatase lead to different locomotor effects in zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104221. [PMID: 37451529 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Pathways underlying neurodevelopmental effects of endocrine disruptors (EDs) remain poorly known. Expression of brain aromatase (aroB), responsible for estrogen production in the brain of teleosts, is regulated by estrogenic EDs and could play a role in their behavioral effects. We exposed zebrafish eleutheroembryos (0-120 h post-fertilization) to various concentrations of 16 estrogenic chemicals (incl. bisphenols and contraceptives), and of 2 aroB inhibitors. Behavior was monitored using a photomotor response test procedure. Both aroB inhibitors (clotrimazole and prochloraz) and a total of 6 estrogenic EDs induced significant behavioral alterations, including DM-BPA, BPC and BPS-MPE, three bisphenol substitutes which behavioral effects were, to our knowledge, previously unknown. However, no consensus was reported on the effects among tested substances. It appears that behavioral changes could not be linked to groups of substances defined by their specificity or potency to modulate aroB expression, or by their structure. Altogether, behavioral effects of estrogenic EDs in 120 h post-fertilization larvae appear unrelated to aroB but are nonetheless not to be neglected in the context of environmental safety.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sacha Sire
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
| | - Armelle Christophe
- Ecotoxicologie des substances et des milieux, Parc ALATA, INERIS, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - François Brion
- Ecotoxicologie des substances et des milieux, Parc ALATA, INERIS, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | | | - Xavier Cousin
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, INRAE, Palavas, France
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46
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Eachus H, Oberski L, Paveley J, Bacila I, Ashton JP, Esposito U, Seifuddin F, Pirooznia M, Elhaik E, Placzek M, Krone NP, Cunliffe VT. Glucocorticoid receptor regulates protein chaperone, circadian clock and affective disorder genes in the zebrafish brain. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050141. [PMID: 37525888 PMCID: PMC10565112 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid resistance is commonly observed in depression, and has been linked to reduced expression and/or function of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1 in human, hereafter referred to as GR). Previous studies have shown that GR-mutant zebrafish exhibit behavioural abnormalities that are indicative of an affective disorder, suggesting that GR plays a role in brain function. We compared the brain methylomes and brain transcriptomes of adult wild-type and GR-mutant zebrafish, and identified 249 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that are regulated by GR. These include a cluster of CpG sites within the first intron of fkbp5, the gene encoding the glucocorticoid-inducible heat shock protein co-chaperone Fkbp5. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that genes associated with chaperone-mediated protein folding, the regulation of circadian rhythm and the regulation of metabolism are particularly sensitive to loss of GR function. In addition, we identified subsets of genes exhibiting GR-regulated transcription that are known to regulate behaviour, and are linked to unipolar depression and anxiety. Taken together, our results identify key biological processes and novel molecular mechanisms through which the GR is likely to mediate responses to stress in the adult zebrafish brain, and they provide further support for the zebrafish GR mutant as a model for the study of affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Eachus
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Lara Oberski
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Jack Paveley
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - Irina Bacila
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
| | - John-Paul Ashton
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Umberto Esposito
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Fayaz Seifuddin
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 12, 12 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mehdi Pirooznia
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 12, 12 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Eran Elhaik
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Marysia Placzek
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Nils P. Krone
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Vincent T. Cunliffe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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47
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Sousa B, Domingues I, Nunes B. A fish perspective on SARS-CoV-2: Toxicity of benzalkonium chloride on Danio rerio. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104200. [PMID: 37394081 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 outbreak led to an increased marketing of disinfectants, creating a potential environmental problem. For instance, pre-pandemic environmental levels of the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BAC) ranging from 0.5 to 5 mgL-1 in effluents were expected to further increase threatening aquatic life. Our aim was to characterize potential adverse effects after an acute exposure of zebrafish to different concentrations of BAC. An increase in the overall swimming activity, thigmotaxis behavior, and erratic movements were observed. An increase in CYP1A1 and catalase activities, but inhibitions of CY1A2, GSTs and GPx activities were also noticed. BAC is metabolized by CYP1A1, increasing the production of H2O2, thereby activating the antioxidant enzyme CAT. Data also showed an increase of AChE activity. Our study highlights adverse embryonic, behavioral, and metabolic effects of noteworthy environmental significance, especially considering that the use and release of BAC is most likely to increase in a near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Sousa
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Departamento De Biologia, Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Departamento De Biologia, Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bruno Nunes
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Departamento De Biologia, Universidade De Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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48
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Nieoczym D, Banono NS, Stępnik K, Kaczor AA, Szybkowski P, Esguerra CV, Kukula-Koch W, Gawel K. In Silico Analysis, Anticonvulsant Activity, and Toxicity Evaluation of Schisandrin B in Zebrafish Larvae and Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12949. [PMID: 37629132 PMCID: PMC10455331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticonvulsant potential of schisandrin B, a main ingredient of Schisandra chinensis extracts. Schisandrin B showed anticonvulsant activity in the zebrafish larva pentylenetetrazole acute seizure assay but did not alter seizure thresholds in the intravenous pentylenetetrazole test in mice. Schisandrin B crosses the blood-brain barrier, which we confirmed in our in silico and in vivo analyses; however, the low level of its unbound fraction in the mouse brain tissue may explain the observed lack of anticonvulsant activity. Molecular docking revealed that the anticonvulsant activity of the compound in larval zebrafish might have been due to its binding to a benzodiazepine site within the GABAA receptor and/or the inhibition of the glutamate NMDA receptor. Although schisandrin B showed a beneficial anticonvulsant effect, toxicological studies revealed that it caused serious developmental impairment in zebrafish larvae, underscoring its teratogenic properties. Further detailed studies are needed to precisely identify the properties, pharmacological effects, and safety of schisandrin B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Nieoczym
- Department of Animal Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Nancy Saana Banono
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Gaustadalleen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349 Oslo, Norway; (N.S.B.); (C.V.E.)
| | - Katarzyna Stępnik
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Pl. M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 3/243, 20-031 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka A. Kaczor
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances with Computer Modeling Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodzki St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Szybkowski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
- Clinical Provincial Hospital No. 2 St. Jadwiga Krolowej in Rzeszow, Lwowska St. 60, 35-301 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Camila Vicencio Esguerra
- Chemical Neuroscience Group, Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway, University of Oslo, Gaustadalleen 21, Forskningsparken, 0349 Oslo, Norway; (N.S.B.); (C.V.E.)
| | - Wirginia Kukula-Koch
- Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki St. 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Kinga Gawel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego St. 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
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49
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Hodorovich DR, Fryer Harris T, Burton D, Neese K, Bieler R, Chudasama V, Marsden KC. Effects of 4 testing arena sizes and 11 types of embryo media on sensorimotor behaviors in wild-type and chd7 mutant zebrafish larvae: Media and arena size impact zebrafish behavior. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.31.551330. [PMID: 37577457 PMCID: PMC10418063 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.31.551330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The larval zebrafish is a highly versatile model across research disciplines, and the expanding use of behavioral analysis has contributed to many advances in neuro-psychiatric, developmental, and toxicological studies, often through large-scale chemical and genetic screens. In the absence of standardized approaches to larval zebrafish behavior analysis, however, it is critical to understand the impact on behavior of experimental variables such as the size of testing arenas and the choice of embryo medium. Using a custom-built, modular high-throughput testing system, we examined the effects of 4 testing arena sizes and 11 types of embryo media on conserved sensorimotor behaviors in zebrafish larvae. Our data show that testing arena size impacts acoustic startle sensitivity and kinematics as well as spontaneous locomotion and thigmotaxis, with fish tested in larger arenas displaying reduced startle sensitivity and increased locomotion. We also find that embryo media can dramatically affect startle sensitivity, kinematics, habituation, and pre-pulse inhibition, as well as spontaneous swimming, turning, and overall activity. Common media components such as methylene blue and high calcium concentration consistently reduced startle sensitivity and locomotion. To further address how the choice of embryo medium can impact phenotype expression in zebrafish models of disease, we reared chd7 mutant larvae, a model of CHARGE syndrome with previously characterized morphological and behavioral phenotypes, in 5 different types of media and observed impacts on all phenotypes. By defining the effects of these key extrinsic factors on larval zebrafish behavior, these data can help researchers select the most appropriate conditions for their specific research questions, particularly for genetic and chemical screens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana R. Hodorovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
- Current Address: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Tiara Fryer Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Derek Burton
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
- Current Address: Biogen, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Katie Neese
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rachael Bieler
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Vimal Chudasama
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kurt. C Marsden
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
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50
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Saiz N, Herrera-Castillo L, de Pedro N, Delgado MJ, Arvidsson SD, Marugal-López MÁ, Isorna E. Assessing Chronodisruption Distress in Goldfish: The Importance of Multimodal Approaches. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2481. [PMID: 37570290 PMCID: PMC10417125 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronodisruption caused by factors such as light at night and mistimed meals has been linked to numerous physiological alterations in vertebrates and may be an anxiogenic factor affecting welfare. This study aims to investigate whether chronodisruption causes measurable changes in the anxiety responses of goldfish under two conditions: randomly scheduled feeding (RF) and continuous light (LL). Anxiety-like behavior was assessed in the open field with object approach and black/white preference tests, which had been validated using diazepam. An increased thigmotaxis response and decreased object exploration under both chronodisruption protocols indicated anxiety states. Furthermore, locomotor activity was increased in LL fish. The black/white preference test discriminated anxiolysis induced by diazepam but was unable to detect anxiety caused by chronodisruption. Plasma cortisol increased in both RF and LL fish throughout the experiment, confirming that both conditions caused stress. The LL fish also showed an apparently desensitized hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal HPI axis, with a decrease in pomc and crf expression. Individual analysis found no correlation between anxiety-like behavior and stress axis activation nor between scototaxis and thigmotaxis responses. However, individual differences in sensitivity to each test were detected. Altogether, these results highlight circadian disruption as a stressor for fish and endorse a multiple variable approach for reliably assessing animal discomfort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Esther Isorna
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (N.S.); (L.H.-C.); (N.d.P.); (M.J.D.); (S.D.A.); (M.Á.M.-L.)
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