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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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2
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Syed OA, Tsang B, Gerlai R. The zebrafish for preclinical psilocybin research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105381. [PMID: 37689090 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the possible utility of zebrafish in research on psilocybin, a psychedelic drug whose recreational use as well as possible clinical application are gaining increasing interest. First, we review behavioral tests with zebrafish, focussing on anxiety and social behavior, which have particular relevance in the context of psilocybin research. Next, we briefly consider methods of genetic manipulations with which psilocybin's phenotypical effects and underlying mechanisms may be investigated in zebrafish. We briefly review the known mechanisms of psilocybin, and also discuss what we know about its safety and toxicity profile. Last, we discuss examples of how psilocybin may be employed for testing treatment efficacy in preclinical research for affective disorders in zebrafish. We conclude that zebrafish has a promising future in preclinical research on psychedelic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer A Syed
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada.
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada.
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada.
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3
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Yu K, Qiu Y, Shi Y, Yu X, Zhou B, Sun T, Wu Y, Xu S, Chen L, Shu Q, Huang L. Early environmental exposure to oxytetracycline in Danio rerio may contribute to neurobehavioral abnormalities in adult zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163482. [PMID: 37062325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The common antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) is nowadays commonly found in natural aquatic environments. However, the underlying mechanisms of low-dose OTC exposure and its neurotoxic effects on aquatic animals remain unknown. In this study, we exposed zebrafish larvae to environmental concentrations of OTC in early life and performed neurobehavioral, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and transcriptomic analyses. OTC exposure resulted in hyperactivity of larvae and a significant reduction in the number of neurons in the midbrain. The expression levels of 15 genes related to neural function changed. Additionally, the composition of 65 genera of the gut microbiota of larvae was altered, which may be one of the reasons for the abnormal neural development. We further studied the long-term outcomes among adult fish long after cessation of OTC exposure. OTC treatment caused adult fish to be depressive and impulsive, symbolizing bipolar disorder. Adult fish exposed to OTC had significantly fewer neurons and their gut bacteria composition did not recover 104 days after terminating OTC exposure. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between the gut microbiota of larvae, genes related to neural function, and metabolites of adult fish brain tissue. The results showed that the abundance of several members of the biome in larvae was related to the transcription levels of genes related to neural function, which were related to the metabolic levels in the adult brain. In conclusion, our study showed that early-life exposure to environmental concentrations of OTC can lead to persistent neurobehavioral abnormalities until adulthood through dysbiosis in the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Yushu Qiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinhua Children's Hospital, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yi Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinhua Children's Hospital, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Xiaogang Yu
- Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Baosong Zhou
- School of Data Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Tong Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Yuhang Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinhua Children's Hospital, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinhua Children's Hospital, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Lei Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Qiang Shu
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310052, China.
| | - Lisu Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou 310052, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Xinhua Children's Hospital, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
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4
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Shishis S, Tsang B, Ren GJ, Gerlai R. Effects of different handling methods on the behavior of adult zebrafish. Physiol Behav 2023; 262:114106. [PMID: 36758848 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
The zebrafish is an important biomedical research organism. In most research, zebrafish are removed from their home tank and subsequently their phenotype is measured. The method of handling the fish, however, may significantly affect a variety of phenotypes. This is particularly problematic for studies of brain function that measure behavioral or neuronal responses. Nevertheless, the potential effects of handling have not been analyzed, and in fact are usually ignored. Here, we explore the effects of two usual and two rarely or never-before employed handling methods on the behavior of adult zebrafish. We exposed each fish to one of four handling methods, a between subject experimental design: (1) net chasing followed by air-suspension, (2) gentle net catching (without chasing) followed by air-suspension, (3) gentle net catching followed by being placed in a beaker (no chasing and very short air-suspension), (4) transportation in home tank and pouring the fish directly into the test tank (no chasing, netting or air-suspension). With these handling methods, the fish were placed in a test tank and their swim path was videorecorded and analyzed. Handling significantly affected swim path parameters, duration and frequency of immobility, absolute turn angle and its temporal variance and velocity, but not the distance to bottom. The behavioral effects confirmed that chasing and netting induce robust behavioral changes, and that pouring the fish from its home to its test tank is least aversive for zebrafish. We recommend using this latter method to reduce experimental error variation and increase reproducibility of results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Tsang
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Canada
| | - Gary J Ren
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Canada.
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5
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Jorge S, Félix L, Costas B, Valentim AM. Housing Conditions Affect Adult Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Behavior but Not Their Physiological Status. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061120. [PMID: 36978661 PMCID: PMC10044285 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061120] [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: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish is a valuable model for neuroscience research, but the housing conditions to which it is exposed daily may be impairing its welfare status. The use of environmental enrichment and the refinement of methodology for cortisol measurement could reduce stress, improving its welfare and its suitability as an animal model used in stress research. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate (I) the influence of different housing conditions on zebrafish physiology and behavior, and (II) skin mucus potential for cortisol measurement in adult zebrafish. For this, AB zebrafish were raised under barren or enriched (PVC pipes and gravel image) environmental conditions. After 6 months, their behavior was assessed by different behavioral paradigms (shoaling, white-black box test, and novel tank). The physiological response was also evaluated through cortisol levels (whole-body homogenates and skin mucus) and brain oxidative stress markers. The results revealed that enriched-housed fish had an increased nearest neighbors' distance and reduced activity. However, no effect on body length or stress biomarkers was observed; whole-body and skin mucus cortisol levels had the same profile between groups. In conclusion, this study highlights the skin mucus potential as a matrix for cortisol quantification, and how housing conditions could influence the data in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jorge
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory Animal Science, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, (CIIMAR), 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Instituto para a Inovação, Capacitação e Sustentabilidade da Produção Agroalimentar (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Benjamín Costas
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, (CIIMAR), 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M Valentim
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Laboratory Animal Science, IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular Celular, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
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6
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Zhu X, Xie D, Zhu Q, Li Y, Cui C. Preparation of β-lactoglobulin-derived tryptophan peptide and its effect on anxiety-like behaviors in Zebrafish. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1100718. [PMID: 36687713 PMCID: PMC9859658 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1100718] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to obtain three Trp-containing peptides from β-lactoglobulin and study their effects on anxiety-like behaviors in zebrafish. Three Trp-containing peptides were prepared from β-lactoglobulin by selective enzymatic hydrolysis and identified by UPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS. The anxiety-like behaviors of zebrafish were reduced after two weeks of administrated of β-lactoglobulin Trp peptides (LAWP), VAGTWY, VAGTW and G TW(concentration of 56 μg/mL or 500 μg/mL). As an index of serotonergic activity, we assessed the enhancing abilities of 5-HT synthesis. The treatment remarkably enhanced the 5-HT synthesis by upregulation of Trp concentration and Trp hydroxylase activation. In addition, this study further validated the anti-anxiety effects of whey protein hydrolysate with a high Trp index in animal and the experimental results were consistent with those reported in previous studies. Our results showed that β-lactoglobulin Trp peptides ingestion has a significant anti-anxiety effect as evidenced by the increasing Trp concentration, TPH activation and 5-HT level compared to the control group, with the VAGTW being the more effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiping Zhu
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, China,*Correspondence: Xiping Zhu ✉
| | - Dan Xie
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, China
| | - Qiong Zhu
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu, China
| | - Chun Cui
- School of Food Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China,Research Institute for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Guangzhou, China,Chun Cui ✉
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7
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Qiu L, Wei S, Yang Y, Zhang R, Ru S, Zhang X. Mechanism of bisphenol S exposure on color sensitivity of zebrafish larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120670. [PMID: 36395908 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120670] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Color vision, initiated from cone cells, is vitally essential for identifying environmental information in vertebrate. Although the retinotoxicity of bisphenol S (BPS) has been reported, data on the influence of BPS treatment on cone cells are scarce. In the present study, transgenic zebrafish (Danio rerio) labeling red and ultraviolet (UV) cones were exposed to BPS (0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L) during the early stages of retinal development, to elucidate the mechanism underlying its retinal cone toxicity of BPS. The results showed that 10 and 100 μg/L BPS induced oxidative DNA damage, structural damage (decreased number of ribbon synapses), mosaic patterning disorder, and altered expression of genes involved in the phototransduction pathway in red and UV cones. Furthermore, BPS exposure also caused abnormal development of key neurons (retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve, and hypothalamus), responsible for transmitting the light-electrical signal to brain, and thereby resulted in inhibition of light-electrical signal transduction, finally diminishing the spectral sensitivity of zebrafish larvae to long- and short-type light signal at 5 day post fertilization. This study highlights the cone-toxicity of environmental relevant concentrations of BPS, and clarifies the mechanism of color vision impairment induced by BPS at the cellular level, updating the understanding of visual behavior driven by environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Qiu
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Shuhui Wei
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yixin Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- 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
| | - Xiaona Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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8
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The Tapping Assay: A Simple Method to Induce Fear Responses in Zebrafish. Behav Res Methods 2022; 54:2693-2706. [PMID: 34918220 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01753-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish is increasingly employed in behavioral neuroscience as a translationally relevant model organism for human central nervous system disorders. One of the most prevalent CNS disorders representing an unmet medical need is the disorder cluster defined under the umbrella term anxiety disorders. Zebrafish have been shown to respond to a variety of anxiety and fear inducing stimuli and have been suggested for modeling human anxiety. Here, we describe a simple method with which we intend to induce fear/anxiety responses in this species. The method allows us to deliver a visual and lateral line stimulus (vibration or "tapping") to the fish with the use of a moving object, a ball colliding with the side glass of the experimental tank. We describe the hardware construction of the apparatus and the procedure of the behavioral paradigm. We also present data on how zebrafish respond to the tapping. Our results demonstrate that the method induces significant fear/anxiety responses. We argue that the simplicity of the method and the efficiency of the paradigm should make it popular among those who plan to use zebrafish as a tool in anxiety research.
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9
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Marcon M, Benvenutti R, Gallas-Lopes M, Herrmann AP, Piato A. What do male and female zebrafish prefer? Directional and color preference in maze tasks. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:4546-4557. [PMID: 35831240 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Studies regarding the animals' innate preferences help elucidate and avoid probable sources of bias and serve as a reference to improve and develop new behavioral tasks. In zebrafish research, data obtained in behavioral assessments are often not replicated between research groups or even inside the same laboratory raising huge concerns about replicability and reproducibility. Among the potential causes that are not well considered, sexual differences can be a probable source of bias. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the male and female zebrafish directional and color preferences in the plus-maze and T-maze behavioral tasks. Experiment 1 evaluated directional preference and experiment 2 evaluated color preference in a plus-maze task; experiment 3 evaluated preference between black or white in a T-maze task. Individual preferences were expressed as the percentage of time spent in each zone. Our results showed that male and female zebrafish demonstrated no difference in directional preference in the plus-maze task. Surprisingly, male and female zebrafish showed color preference differences in the plus-maze task; males did not show any color preference, while female zebrafish demonstrated a red preference compared to white, blue, and yellow colors. Moreover, both male and female zebrafish demonstrated a strong black color preference compared to the white color in the T-maze task. Our findings characterized the spontaneous preference of male and female zebrafish for direction and color, identifying possible biases, and providing insights that contribute to the standardization of future protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Marcon
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Radharani Benvenutti
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Matheus Gallas-Lopes
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Herrmann
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Angelo Piato
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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10
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Hammer J, Röppenack P, Yousuf S, Schnabel C, Weber A, Zöller D, Koch E, Hans S, Brand M. Visual Function is Gradually Restored During Retina Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:831322. [PMID: 35178408 PMCID: PMC8844564 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.831322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In comparison to mammals, zebrafish are able to regenerate many organs and tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). Within the CNS-derived neural retina, light lesions result in a loss of photoreceptors and the subsequent activation of Müller glia, the retinal stem cells. Müller glia-derived progenitors differentiate and eventually restore the anatomical tissue architecture within 4 weeks. However, little is known about how light lesions impair vision functionally, as well as how and to what extent visual function is restored during the course of regeneration, in particular in adult animals. Here, we applied quantitative behavioral assays to assess restoration of visual function during homeostasis and regeneration in adult zebrafish. We developed a novel vision-dependent social preference test, and show that vision is massively impaired early after lesion, but is restored to pre-lesion levels within 7 days after lesion. Furthermore, we employed a quantitative optokinetic response assay with different degrees of difficulty, similar to vision tests in humans. We found that vision for easy conditions with high contrast and low level of detail, as well as color vision, was restored around 7–10 days post lesion. Vision under more demanding conditions, with low contrast and high level of detail, was regained only later from 14 days post lesion onwards. Taken together, we conclude that vision based on contrast sensitivity, spatial resolution and the perception of colors is restored after light lesion in adult zebrafish in a gradual manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Hammer
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul Röppenack
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sarah Yousuf
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Christian Schnabel
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anke Weber
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Daniela Zöller
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Edmund Koch
- Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stefan Hans
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Brand
- CRTD-Center for Regenerative Therapies at TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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11
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Abstract
The use of multiple species to model complex human psychiatric disorders, such as ADHD, can give important insights into conserved evolutionary patterns underlying multidomain behaviors (e.g., locomotion, attention, and impulsivity). Here we discuss the advantages and challenges in modelling ADHD-like phenotypes in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate species that has been widely used in neuroscience and behavior research. Moreover, multiple behavioral tasks can be used to model the core symptoms of ADHD and its comorbidities. We present a critical review of current ADHD studies in zebrafish, and how this species might be used to accelerate the discovery of new drug treatments for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK
| | - William H J Norton
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK.
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12
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Fontana BD, Alnassar N, Parker MO. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) anxiety test battery: comparison of behavioral responses in the novel tank diving and light-dark tasks following exposure to anxiogenic and anxiolytic compounds. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:287-296. [PMID: 34651212 PMCID: PMC8770442 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05990-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Triangulation of approaches (i.e., using several tests of the same construct) can be extremely useful for increasing the robustness of the findings being widely used when working with behavioral testing, especially when using rodents as a translational model. Although zebrafish are widely used in neuropharmacology research due to their high-throughput screening potential for new therapeutic drugs, behavioral test battery effects following pharmacological manipulations are still unknown. METHODS Here, we tested the effects of an anxiety test battery and test time following pharmacological manipulations in zebrafish by using two behavioral tasks: the novel tank diving task (NTT) and the light-dark test (LDT). Fluoxetine and conspecific alarm substance (CAS) were chosen to induce anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behavior, respectively. RESULTS For non-drug-treated animals, no differences were observed for testing order (NTT → LDT or LDT → NTT) and there was a strong correlation between performances on the two behavioral tasks. However, we found that during drug treatment, NTT/LDT responses are affected by the tested order depending on the test time being fluoxetine effects higher at the second behavioral task (6 min later) and CAS effects lower across time. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data supports the use of baseline behavior assessment using this anxiety test battery. However, when working with drug exposure, data analysis must carefully consider time-drug-response and data variability across behavioral tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK.
| | - Nancy Alnassar
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, White Swan Road, Portsmouth, PO1 2DT, UK.
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13
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Lachowicz J, Niedziałek K, Rostkowska E, Szopa A, Świąder K, Szponar J, Serefko A. Zebrafish as an Animal Model for Testing Agents with Antidepressant Potential. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080792. [PMID: 34440536 PMCID: PMC8401799 DOI: 10.3390/life11080792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a serious mental disease that, according to statistics, affects 320 million people worldwide. Additionally, a current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant deterioration of mental health in people around the world. So far, rodents have been treated as basic animal models used in studies on this disease, but in recent years, Danio rerio has emerged as a new organism that might serve well in preclinical experiments. Zebrafish have a lot of advantages, such as a quick reproductive cycle, transparent body during the early developmental stages, high genetic and physiological homology to humans, and low costs of maintenance. Here, we discuss the potential of the zebrafish model to be used in behavioral studies focused on testing agents with antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lachowicz
- Student’s Scientific Circle at Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (K.N.)
| | - Karolina Niedziałek
- Student’s Scientific Circle at Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (K.N.)
| | | | - Aleksandra Szopa
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Katarzyna Świąder
- Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jarosław Szponar
- Clinical Department of Toxicology and Cardiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
- Toxicology Clinic, Stefan Wyszyński Regional Specialist Hospital in Lublin, Al. Kraśnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Serefko
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing, Chair and Department of Applied and Social Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (A.S.)
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14
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Optogenetic Manipulation of Olfactory Responses in Transgenic Zebrafish: A Neurobiological and Behavioral Study. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137191. [PMID: 34281244 PMCID: PMC8269104 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfaction is an important neural system for survival and fundamental behaviors such as predator avoidance, food finding, memory formation, reproduction, and social communication. However, the neural circuits and pathways associated with the olfactory system in various behaviors are not fully understood. Recent advances in optogenetics, high-resolution in vivo imaging, and reconstructions of neuronal circuits have created new opportunities to understand such neural circuits. Here, we generated a transgenic zebrafish to manipulate olfactory signal optically, expressing the Channelrhodopsin (ChR2) under the control of the olfactory specific promoter, omp. We observed light-induced neuronal activity of olfactory system in the transgenic fish by examining c-fos expression, and a calcium indicator suggesting that blue light stimulation caused activation of olfactory neurons in a non-invasive manner. To examine whether the photo-activation of olfactory sensory neurons affect behavior of zebrafish larvae, we devised a behavioral choice paradigm and tested how zebrafish larvae choose between two conflicting sensory cues, an aversive odor or the naturally preferred phototaxis. We found that when the conflicting cues (the preferred light and aversive odor) were presented together simultaneously, zebrafish larvae swam away from the aversive odor. However, the transgenic fish with photo-activation were insensitive to the aversive odor and exhibited olfactory desensitization upon optical stimulation of ChR2. These results show that an aversive olfactory stimulus can override phototaxis, and that olfaction is important in decision making in zebrafish. This new transgenic model will be useful for the analysis of olfaction related behaviors and for the dissection of underlying neural circuits.
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15
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Xu J, Casanave R, Guo S. Larval zebrafish display dynamic learning of aversive stimuli in a constant visual surrounding. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:228-238. [PMID: 34131054 PMCID: PMC8212779 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053425.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Balancing exploration and anti-predation are fundamental to the fitness and survival of all animal species from early life stages. How these basic survival instincts drive learning remains poorly understood. Here, using a light/dark preference paradigm with well-controlled luminance history and constant visual surrounding in larval zebrafish, we analyzed intra- and intertrial dynamics for two behavioral components, dark avoidance and center avoidance. We uncover that larval zebrafish display short-term learning of dark avoidance with initial sensitization followed by habituation; they also exhibit long-term learning that is sensitive to trial interval length. We further show that such stereotyped learning patterns is stimulus-specific, as they are not observed for center avoidance. Finally, we demonstrate at individual levels that long-term learning is under homeostatic control. Together, our work has established a novel paradigm to understand learning, uncovered sequential sensitization and habituation, and demonstrated stimulus specificity, individuality, as well as dynamicity in learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Xu
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisico, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Romelo Casanave
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisico, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California at San Francisico, San Francisco, California 94158, USA.,Program in Human Genetics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA.,Program in Biological Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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16
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de F Cesário HPS, Silva FCO, Ferreira MKA, de Menezes JESA, Dos Santos HS, Nogueira CES, de L Silva KSB, Hajdu E, Silveira ER, Pessoa ODL. Anxiolytic-like effect of brominated compounds from the marine sponge Aplysina fulva on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Involvement of the GABAergic system. Neurochem Int 2021; 146:105021. [PMID: 33741413 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat disorders of the central nervous system, including anxiety. However, due to their adverse effects, there is a continuing interest in discovering new safe and effective drugs. Marine natural products have emerged as a prolific source of bioactive nitrogenated compounds. Aiming to discover new biologically active natural compounds, the marine sponge Aplysina fulva, a nitrogen-bearing heterocyst producer, was investigated. The main isolated compounds (4, 6, and 9) were evaluated on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). A group of fishes (n = 6) was preliminarily subjected to acute toxicity, and open field tests using 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/mL (v. o.) of those compounds was performed. The anxiolytic effect was further investigated in the light/dark assay based on the locomotor response at zebrafish. Interactions through the GABAergic system were investigated using flumazenil, a silent modulator of GABA receptors. To improve the results, a study of molecular docking using the GABAA receptor also was performed. Based on the results, the bromotyrosine derivative compounds 4, 6, and 9 exhibited anxiolytic-like effects mediated by the GABAergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hozana Patrícia S de F Cesário
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60455-760, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jane Eire S A de Menezes
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Ceará State University, Fortaleza, CE, 60174-903, Brazil
| | - Hélcio S Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Synthesis and Biocatalysis of Organic Compounds, Vale do Acaraú University, Sobral, CE, 62040-370, Brazil
| | - Carlos E S Nogueira
- Department of Physics, Regional University of Cariri, Crato, CE, 63041-145, Brazil
| | - Karísia S B de L Silva
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60455-760, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Hajdu
- Department of Invertebrates, National Museum, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20940-040, Brazil
| | - Edilberto R Silveira
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60455-760, Brazil
| | - Otília Deusdênia L Pessoa
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Science Center, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, 60455-760, Brazil.
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17
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Color as an important biological variable in zebrafish models: Implications for translational neurobehavioral research. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 124:1-15. [PMID: 33359096 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Color is an important environmental factor that in multiple ways affects human and animal behavior and physiology. Widely used in neuroscience research, various experimental (animal) models may help improve our understanding of how different colors impact brain and behavioral processes. Complementing laboratory rodents, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly emerging as an important novel model species to explore complex neurobehavioral processes. The growing utility of zebrafish in biomedicine makes it timely to consider the role of colors in their behavioral and physiological responses. Here, we summarize mounting evidence implicating colors as a critical variable in zebrafish models and neurobehavioral traits, with a particular relevance to CNS disease modeling, genetic and pharmacological modulation, as well as environmental enrichment and animal welfare. We also discuss the growing value of zebrafish models to study color neurobiology and color-related neurobehavioral phenomics, and outline future directions of research in this field.
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18
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de Abreu MS, Giacomini ACVV, Genario R, Dos Santos BE, Marcon L, Demin KA, Kalueff AV. The impact of housing environment color on zebrafish anxiety-like behavioral and physiological (cortisol) responses. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 294:113499. [PMID: 32360541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Color of the environment is an important factor modulating human and animal behavior and physiology. Animal models are a valuable tool to understand how colors affect social, cognitive and affective responses. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is rapidly emerging as an important organism in neuroscience and physiology. Here, we examine whether the color of housing environment influences zebrafish anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol levels. Overall, housing for 15 days in transparent and white holding tanks increases, and in black or blue tanks decreases, baseline anxiety-like behavior in adult zebrafish. Housing in blue tanks (vs. white) also reduced their whole-body cortisol levels. Taken together, our data suggest that color of the housing environment affects neurobehavioral and endocrine responses in zebrafish, with multiple implications for behavioral phenomics and animal welfare. Our study also reinforces zebrafish as a promising model organism to study neurobiology of compex brain-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murilo S de Abreu
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), Slidell, LA, USA.
| | - Ana C V V Giacomini
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Genario
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna E Dos Santos
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Leticia Marcon
- Bioscience Institute, University of Passo Fundo (UPF), Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Almazov Medical Research Center, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- School of Pharmacy, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
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19
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Müller TE, Fontana BD, Bertoncello KT, Franscescon F, Mezzomo NJ, Canzian J, Stefanello FV, Parker MO, Gerlai R, Rosemberg DB. Understanding the neurobiological effects of drug abuse: Lessons from zebrafish models. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2020; 100:109873. [PMID: 31981718 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Drug abuse and brain disorders related to drug comsumption are public health problems with harmful individual and social consequences. The identification of therapeutic targets and precise pharmacological treatments to these neuropsychiatric conditions associated with drug abuse are urgently needed. Understanding the link between neurobiological mechanisms and behavior is a key aspect of elucidating drug abuse-related targets. Due to various molecular, biochemical, pharmacological, and physiological features, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been considered a suitable vertebrate for modeling complex processes involved in drug abuse responses. In this review, we discuss how the zebrafish has been successfully used for modeling neurobehavioral phenotypes related to drug abuse and review the effects of opioids, cannabinoids, alcohol, nicotine, and psychedelic drugs on the central nervous system (CNS). Moreover, we summarize recent advances in zebrafish-based studies and outline potential advantages and limitations of the existing zebrafish models to explore the neurochemical bases of drug abuse and addiction. Finally, we discuss how the use of zebrafish models may present fruitful approaches to provide valuable clinically translatable data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talise E Müller
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil.
| | - Barbara D Fontana
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Kanandra T Bertoncello
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Francini Franscescon
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Nathana J Mezzomo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Julia Canzian
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Flavia V Stefanello
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Matthew O Parker
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Old St Michael's Building, Portsmouth PO1 2DT, UK
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Denis B Rosemberg
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuropsychobiology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center of Natural and Exact Sciences, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Toxicological Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Maria, 1000 Roraima Avenue, Santa Maria, RS 97105-900, Brazil; The International Zebrafish Neuroscience Research Consortium (ZNRC), 309 Palmer Court, Slidell, LA 70458, USA.
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20
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Angiulli E, Pagliara V, Cioni C, Frabetti F, Pizzetti F, Alleva E, Toni M. Increase in environmental temperature affects exploratory behaviour, anxiety and social preference in Danio rerio. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5385. [PMID: 32214187 PMCID: PMC7096496 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of a temperature increase on the behaviour of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) maintained for 21 days at 34 °C (treatment) and 26 °C (control). The temperatures chosen are within the vital range of zebrafish and correspond to temperatures that this species encounters in the natural environment. Previous results showed that the same treatment affects the brain proteome and the behaviour of adult zebrafish by producing alterations in the proteins involved in neurotransmitter release and synaptic function and impairing fish exploratory behaviour. In this study, we have investigated the performance of treated and control zebrafish during environmental exploration by using four behavioural tests (novel tank diving, light and dark preference, social preference and mirror biting) that are paradigms for assessing the state of anxiety, boldness, social preference and aggressive behaviour, respectively. The results showed that heat treatment reduces anxiety and increases the boldness of zebrafish, which spent more time in potentially dangerous areas of the tank such as the top and the uncovered bright area and at a distance from the social group, thus decreasing protection for the zebrafish. These data suggest that the increase in ambient temperature may compromise zebrafish survival rate in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Angiulli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - V Pagliara
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - C Cioni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - F Frabetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F Pizzetti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - E Alleva
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - M Toni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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21
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Aponte A, Petrunich-Rutherford ML. Acute net stress of young adult zebrafish ( Danio rerio) is not sufficient to increase anxiety-like behavior and whole-body cortisol. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7469. [PMID: 31410315 PMCID: PMC6689218 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a popular model to study the mechanisms of physiological and behavioral effects of stress, due to the similarity in neural structures and biochemical pathways between zebrafish and mammals. Previous research in this vertebrate animal model has demonstrated an increase in whole-body cortisol resulting from an acute (30-second) net handling stress, but it remains unclear whether such a stressor will concomitantly increase anxiety-like behavior. In addition, as the previous study examined the effects of this acute stressor in adult zebrafish after a brief period of isolation, it is unclear whether this stressor would be effective in eliciting cortisol increases in younger aged subjects without isolation. In the current study, young adult zebrafish (approximately 90 days post-fertilization) were briefly exposed to a net handling stressor and were subsequently subjected to either the novel tank test or the light/dark preference test. The novel tank test was used to measure exploration and habituation in response to a novel environment, and the light/dark preference test was used to measure locomotor activity and scototaxis behavior. All subjects were sacrificed 15 minutes post-stressor and were analyzed for whole-body levels of cortisol. Contrary to expectations, there was no effect of acute net handling on cortisol levels. Similarly, acute net handling did not significantly induce anxiety-like behavior during the novel tank test or the light/dark preference test. Our findings demonstrate that there are possible developmental differences in response to an acute net handling stress, as we did not observe alterations in hormonal or behavioral measures of anxiety in young adult zebrafish. Alternatively, if zebrafish are not isolated before the stressor, they may be more resilient to a brief acute stressor. These results suggest the need for a different or more intense acute stressor in order further explore neuroendocrine mechanisms and anxiety-like behavior at this developmental stage in the zebrafish animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Aponte
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN, United States of America
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22
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Facciol A, Tran S, Gerlai R. A Standardized Tank Design for the Light Dark Task in Zebrafish. Bio Protoc 2019; 9:e3306. [PMID: 33654816 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The light dark paradigm is a common behavioral test used to screen a variety of pharmacological agents, including anxiogenics and anxiolytics. Although most often used in rodents, the light dark task has recently been adapted for use in zebrafish. However, a number of inconsistent findings have been reported for this species. Some have found zebrafish to prefer black, while others report a preference for light. Careful analysis of light dark preference experiments using zebrafish reveals significant variation in testing tank design and test conditions, including lighting and substrate color. Additionally, in some experiments the designated dark side of the testing tank is completely covered, producing a "cave-like" environment which further confounds results. Lastly, authors commonly use the terms "light vs. dark" interchangeably with "white vs. black", when these are two separate factors that may influence preference: illumination level vs. background shade. To address these limitations, we designed testing tanks that differentiate illumination vs. background shade preference in zebrafish. This design allows for simple standardization of light dark testing apparatus in zebrafish, and facilitates more reliable comparison across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Facciol
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada
| | - Steven Tran
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
| | - Robert Gerlai
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, Canada
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