High glucose levels affect retinal patterning during zebrafish embryogenesis

Alisol A, the Eye-Entering Ingredient of Alisma orientale, Relieves Macular Edema Through TNF-α as Revealed by UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Zebrafish Verification

Purpose

Alisma orientale (AO, Alisma orientale (Sam). Juzep) has been widely employed for the treatment of macular edema (ME) in traditional Chinese medicine due to its renowned water-relief properties. Nonetheless, the comprehensive investigation of AO in alleviating ME remained unexplored. This study aims to identify the active components of AO that target the eye and investigate its pharmacological effects and mechanisms on ME.

Methods

The study commenced with UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS analysis to identify the primary constituents of AO. Zebrafish eye tissues were then analyzed after a five-day administration of AO to detect absorbed components and metabolites. Subsequently, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to predict the mechanisms of ME treatment via biological target pathways. In vivo experiments were conducted to corroborate the pharmacological actions and mechanisms.

Results

A total of 7 compounds, consisting of 2 prototype ingredients and 5 metabolites (including isomers), were found to traverse the blood-eye barrier and localized within eye tissues. Network pharmacology results showed that AO played a role in the treatment of ME mainly by regulating the pathway network of PI3K-AKT and MAPK with TNF-α centered. Computational analyses suggested that 11-dehydro-16-oxo-24-deoxy-alisol A, a metabolite of alisol A, mitigates edema through TNF-α inhibition. Furthermore, zebrafish fundus confocal experiments and HE staining of eyes confirmed the attenuating effects of alisol A on fundus angiogenesis and ocular edema, representing the first report of AO's ME-inhibitory effects.

Conclusion

In this study, computational analyses with experimental validation were used to understand the biological activity and mechanism of alisol A in the treatment of ME. The findings shed light on the bioactive constituents and pharmacological actions of AO, offering valuable insights and a theoretical foundation for its clinical application in managing ME.

Early-life exposure to five biodegradable plastics impairs eye development and visually-mediated behavior through disturbing hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in zebrafish larvae

Biodegradable plastics have been commonly developed and applied as an alternative to traditional plastics, which cause environmental plastic pollution. However, biodegradable plastics still present limitations such as stringent degradation conditions and slow degradation rate, and may cause harm to the environment and organisms. Consequently, in this study, zebrafish was used to evaluate the effects of five biodegradable microplastics (MPs), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) exposure on the early development, retina morphology, visually-mediated behavior, and thyroid signaling at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 100 mg/L. The results indicated that all MPs induced decreased survival rate, reduced body length, smaller eyes, and smaller heads, affecting the early development of zebrafish larvae. Moreover, the thickness of retinal layers, including inner plexiform layer (IPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), and retinal ganglion layer (RGL) was decreased, and the expression of key genes related to eye and retinal development was abnormally altered after all MPs exposure. Exposure to PBS and PBAT led to abnormal visually-mediated behavior, indicating likely affected the visual function. All MPs could also cause thyroid system disorders, among which alterations in the thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) genes could affect the retinal development of zebrafish larvae. In summary, biodegradable MPs exhibited eye developmental toxicity and likely impaired the visual function in zebrafish larvae. This provided new evidence for revealing the effects of biodegradable plastics on aquatic organism development and environmental risks to aquatic ecosystems.

Are Hyperglycemia-Induced Changes in the Retina Associated with Diabetes-Correlated Changes in the Brain? A Review from Zebrafish and Rodent Type 2 Diabetes Models

Diabetes is prevalent worldwide, with >90% of the cases identified as Type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is the hallmark symptom of diabetes, with prolonged and uncontrolled levels contributing to subsequent complications. Animal models have been used to study these complications, which include retinopathy, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy. More recent studies have focused on cognitive behaviors due to the increased risk of dementia/cognitive deficits that are reported to occur in older Type 2 diabetic patients. In this review, we collate the data reported from specific animal models (i.e., mouse, rat, zebrafish) that have been examined for changes in both retina/vision (retinopathy) and brain/cognition, including db/db mice, Goto-Kakizaki rats, Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats, high-fat diet-fed rodents and zebrafish, and hyperglycemic zebrafish induced by glucose immersion. These models were selected because rodents are widely recognized as established models for studying diabetic complications, while zebrafish represent a newer model in this field. Our goal is to (1) summarize the published findings relevant to these models, (2) identify similarities in cellular mechanisms underlying the disease progression that occur in both tissues, and (3) address the hypothesis that hyperglycemic-induced changes in retina precede or predict later complications in brain.

Tracing the influence of prenatal risk factors on the offspring retina: Focus on development and putative long-term consequences

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy represents a window of vulnerability to fetal development. Disruptions in the prenatal environment during this crucial period can increase the risk of the offspring developing diseases over the course of their lifetime. The central nervous system (CNS) has been shown to be particularly susceptible to changes during crucial developmental windows. To date, research focused on disruptions in the development of the CNS has predominantly centred on the brain, revealing a correlation between exposure to prenatal risk factors and the onset of neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, some studies indicate that the retina, which is part of the CNS, is also vulnerable to in utero alterations during pregnancy. Such changes may affect neuronal, glial and vascular components of the retina, compromising retinal structure and function and possibly impairing visual function.

METHODS

A search in the PubMed database was performed, and any literature concerning prenatal risk factors (drugs, diabetes, unbalanced diet, infection, glucocorticoids) affecting the offspring retina were included.

RESULTS

This review collects evidence on the cellular, structural and functional changes occurring in the retina triggered by maternal risk factors during pregnancy. We highlight the adverse impact on retinal development and its long-lasting effects, providing a critical analysis of the current knowledge while underlining areas for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate recognition of the prenatal risk factors that negatively impact the developing retina may provide critical clues for the design of preventive strategies and for early therapeutic intervention that could change retinal pathology in the progeny.

Diethylhexyl phthalate exposure amplifies oxidant and inflammatory response in fetal hyperglycemia model predisposing insulin resistance in zebrafish embryos

Exposure of zebrafish embryos to glucose is a suitable model for the fetal hyperglycemia seen in gestational diabetes. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which is considered an endocrine-disrupting chemical, is one of the most common phthalate derivatives used in stretching plastic and is encountered in every area where plastic is used in daily life. In the present study, the effects of DEHP on pathways related to insulin resistance and obesity were examined in zebrafish embryos exposed to glucose as a fetal hyperglycemia model. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to DEHP, glucose, and glucose + DEHP for 72 h post-fertilization (hpf), and developmental parameters and locomotor activities were monitored. At 72 hpf ins, lepa, pparγ, atf4a, and il-6 expressions were determined by RT-PCR. Glucose, lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO) levels, glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Compared with the control group, glucose, LPO, GST activity, il6, and atf4a expressions increased in all exposure groups, while body length, locomotor, and SOD activities decreased. While AChE activity decreased in the DEHP and glucose groups, it increased in the glucose + DEHP group. Although glucose exposure increased pparγ and lepa expressions, DEHP significantly decreased the expressions of pparγ and lepa both in the DEHP and glucose + DEHP groups. Our findings showed that DEHP amplified oxidant and inflammatory responses in this fetal hyperglycemia model, predisposing insulin resistance in zebrafish embryos.

Association between hyperglycemia during pregnancy and offspring's refractive error: A focused review

This review article explores the relationship between hyperglycemia during pregnancy and the visual development of offspring, specifically focusing on refractive error. The authors conducted a comprehensive search for relevant articles in various databases and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. The findings consistently indicate that hyperglycemia during pregnancy can have a detrimental impact on the structural and functional aspects of visual development in offspring. The intrauterine hyperglycemic environment appears to negatively affect the retina and lens, leading to refractive errors. In conclusion, there is likely an association between hyperglycemia during pregnancy and the development of refractive errors in offspring.

Development and Validation of Type 2 Diabetic Zebrafish Model for Cell-Based Treatments

Diabetes mellitus can be categorized as one of the prolonged metabolic disorders that are associated with inappropriately elevated blood glucose levels. Among the subgroups of this disease, type 2 diabetes accounts for the most patients. Although pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments have been employed to control the progression of the disease, as with any treatment approach, both therapeutic approaches are associated with side effects and challenges. Nowadays, the emergence of treatment methods based on stem cells has attracted the attention of researchers in order to treat diabetes fundamentally and provide a long-term solution. Since there are still blind spots regarding the positive and negative effects of these types of treatments, animal studies can give researchers a detailed insight into the effects of stem cell-based treatments. Recently, zebrafish has been proposed as a valuable animal model due to its outstanding genetic and physiological characteristics in biomedical studies including diabetes. Hereupon, in this protocol, the development and validation of type 2 diabetic zebrafish model for cell-based treatments have been explained.

Non-Genetic-Induced Zebrafish Model for Type 2 Diabetes with Emphasis on Tools in Model Validation

The unrelenting increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) necessitates the urgent need for effective animal models to mimic its pathophysiology. Zebrafish possess human-like metabolic traits and share significant genetic similarities, making them valuable candidates for studying metabolic disorders, including T2D. This review emphasizes the critical role of animal models in diabetes research, especially focusing on zebrafish as an alternative model organism. Different approaches to a non-genetic model of T2D in zebrafish, such as the glucose solution, diet-induced, chemical-induced, and combined diet-induced and glucose solution methods, with an emphasis on model validation using indicators of T2D, were highlighted. However, a significant drawback lies in the validation of these models. Some of these models have not extensively demonstrated persistent hyperglycemia or response to insulin resistance and glucose tolerance tests, depicted the morphology of the pancreatic β-cell, or showed their response to antidiabetic drugs. These tools are crucial in T2D pathology. Future research on non-genetic models of T2D in zebrafish must extensively focus on validating the metabolic deficits existing in the model with the same metabolic defects in humans and improve on the existing models for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying T2D and exploring potential therapeutic interventions.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Basis of Overfeeding-Induced Diabetes in Zebrafish

Diabetes has gradually become a serious disease that threatens human health. It can induce various complications, and the pathogenesis of diabetes is quite complex and not yet fully elucidated. The zebrafish has been widely acknowledged as a useful model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions of diabetes. However, the molecular basis of zebrafish diabetes induced by overfeeding remains unknown. In this study, a zebrafish diabetes model was established by overfeeding, and the molecular basis of zebrafish diabetes induced by overfeeding was explored. Compared with the control group, the body length, body weight, and condition factor index of zebrafish increased significantly after four weeks of overfeeding. There was a significant elevation in the fasting blood glucose level, accompanied by a large number of lipid droplets accumulated within the liver. The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in both the serum and liver exhibited a statistically significant increase. Transcriptome sequencing was employed to investigate changes in the livers of overfed zebrafish. The number of up-regulated and down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was 1582 and 2404, respectively, in the livers of overfed zebrafish. The DEGs were subjected to KEGG and GO enrichment analyses, and the hub signaling pathways and hub DEGs were identified. The results demonstrate that sixteen genes within the signal pathway associated with fatty acid metabolism were found to be significantly up-regulated. Specifically, these genes were found to mainly participate in fatty acid transport, fatty acid oxidation, and ketogenesis. Furthermore, thirteen genes that play a crucial role in glucose metabolism, particularly in the pathways of glycolysis and glycogenesis, were significantly down-regulated in the livers of overfed zebrafish. These results indicate insulin resistance and inhibition of glucose entry into liver cells in the livers of overfed zebrafish. These findings elucidate the underlying molecular basis of zebrafish diabetes induced by overfeeding and provide a model for further investigation of the pathogenesis and therapeutics of diabetes.

Excess glucose or fat differentially affects metabolism and appetite-related gene expression during zebrafish embryogenesis

Zebrafish embryos use their yolk sac reserve as the sole nutrient source during embryogenesis. The two main forms of energy fuel can be found in the form of glucose or fat. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to glucose or injected with free fatty acid/Triacylglycerol (FFA/TAG) into the yolk sac at 24 hpf. At 72 hpf, glucose exposed or FFA/TAG injected had differential effects on gene expression in embryos, with fat activating lipolysis and β-oxidation and glucose activating the insulin pathway. Bulk RNA-seq revealed that more gene expression was affected by glucose exposure compared to FFA/TAGs injection. Appetite-controlling genes were also differently affected by glucose exposure or FFA/TAG injections. Because the embryo did not yet feed itself at the time of our analysis, gene expression changes occurred in absence of actual hunger and revealed how the embryo manages its nutrient intake before active feeding.

Maternal diabetes affects rat offspring retinal structure and function: Sex-specific vulnerabilities at infancy

AIMS

Maternal diabetes negatively impacts the offspring's brain, but little is known about its effects on the retina, which is also part of the central nervous system. We hypothesized that maternal diabetes adversely influences offspring retina development leading to structural and functional deficits.

MAIN METHODS

Retinal structure and function were evaluated at infancy, by optical coherence tomography and electroretinography, in male and female offspring of control, diabetic and diabetic-treated with insulin Wistar rats.

KEY FINDINGS

Maternal diabetes induced a delay in male and female offspring eye-opening, while insulin treatment expedited it. Structural analysis showed that maternal diabetes decreased the thickness of the inner and outer segment layer of photoreceptors in male offspring. Electroretinography also revealed that maternal diabetes decreased the amplitude of scotopic b-wave and flicker response in males, suggesting bipolar cells and cone photoreceptor dysfunction, an effect not observed in females. Conversely, maternal diabetes decreased cone arrestin protein levels in female retinas, while not affecting cone photoreceptor number. Dam insulin therapy was efficient in preventing the offspring photoreceptor changes.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our results suggest that photoreceptors are affected by maternal diabetes, which may account for visual impairments at infancy. Notably, both male and female offspring presented specific vulnerabilities to hyperglycemia in this sensitive period of development.

An Overview towards Zebrafish Larvae as a Model for Ocular Diseases

Despite the obvious morphological differences in the visual system, zebrafish share a similar architecture and components of the same embryonic origin as humans. The zebrafish retina has the same layered structure and cell types with similar metabolic and phototransduction support as humans, and is functional 72 h after fertilization, allowing tests of visual function to be performed. The zebrafish genomic database supports genetic mapping studies as well as gene editing, both of which are useful in the ophthalmological field. It is possible to model ocular disorders in zebrafish, as well as inherited retinal diseases or congenital or acquired malformations. Several approaches allow the evaluation of local pathological processes derived from systemic disorders, such as chemical exposure to produce retinal hypoxia or glucose exposure to produce hyperglycemia, mimicking retinopathy of prematurity or diabetic retinopathy, respectively. The pathogenesis of ocular infections, autoimmune diseases, or aging can also be assessed in zebrafish larvae, and the preserved cellular and molecular immune mechanisms can be assessed. Finally, the zebrafish model for the study of the pathologies of the visual system complements certain deficiencies in experimental models of mammals since the regeneration of the zebrafish retina is a valuable tool for the study of degenerative processes and the discovery of new drugs and therapies.

Research Progress on the Construction and Application of a Diabetic Zebrafish Model

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels. With economic development and lifestyle changes, the prevalence of diabetes is increasing yearly. Thus, it has become an increasingly serious public health problem in countries around the world. The etiology of diabetes is complex, and its pathogenic mechanisms are not completely clear. The use of diabetic animal models is helpful in the study of the pathogenesis of diabetes and the development of drugs. The emerging vertebrate model of zebrafish has many advantages, such as its small size, large number of eggs, short growth cycle, simple cultivation of adult fish, and effective improvement of experimental efficiency. Thus, this model is highly suitable for research as an animal model of diabetes. This review not only summarizes the advantages of zebrafish as a diabetes model, but also summarizes the construction methods and challenges of zebrafish models of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and diabetes complications. This study provides valuable reference information for further study of the pathological mechanisms of diabetes and the research and development of new related therapeutic drugs.

Development of a Zebrafish Larvae Model for Diabetic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated heart failure (HF) causes high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we established a zebrafish larvae model for in vivo research on diabetic HF.

METHODS

DM-like phenotypes were induced by treating zebrafish larvae with a combination of D-glucose (GLU) and streptozotocin (STZ). HF was induced by treatment with terfenadine (TER), a potassium channel blocker. Additionally, myocardial contractility, motility, and viability were evaluated.

RESULTS

The zebrafish larvae treated with a combination of GLU and STZ showed significantly higher whole-body glucose concentrations, lower insulin levels, and higher phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase levels, which are markers of abnormal glucose homeostasis, than the group treated with only GLU, with no effect on viability. When treated with TER, DM zebrafish showed significantly less myocardial fractional shortening and more irregular contractions than the non-DM zebrafish. Furthermore, in DM-HF with reduced ejection fraction (rEF) zebrafish, a significant increase in the levels of natriuretic peptide B, a HF biomarker, markedly reduced motility, and reduced survival rates were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a DM-HFrEF zebrafish model by sequentially treating zebrafish larvae with GLU, STZ, and TER. Our findings indicate the potential utility of the developed zebrafish larvae model not only in screening studies of new drug candidates for DM-HFrEF but also in mechanistic studies to understand the pathophysiology of DM-HFrEF.

Embryonic hyperglycemia perturbs the development of specific retinal cell types, including photoreceptors

Diabetes is linked to various long-term complications in adults, such as neuropathy, nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes poses additional risks for pregnant women, because glucose passes across the placenta, and excess maternal glucose can result in diabetic embryopathy. While many studies have examined the teratogenic effects of maternal diabetes on fetal heart development, little is known about the consequences of maternal hyperglycemia on the development of the embryonic retina. To address this question, we investigated retinal development in two models of embryonic hyperglycemia in zebrafish. Strikingly, we found that hyperglycemic larvae displayed a significant reduction in photoreceptors and horizontal cells, whereas other retinal neurons were not affected. We also observed reactive gliosis and abnormal optokinetic responses in hyperglycemic larvae. Further analysis revealed delayed retinal cell differentiation in hyperglycemic embryos that coincided with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results suggest that embryonic hyperglycemia causes abnormal retinal development via altered timing of cell differentiation and ROS production, which is accompanied by visual defects. Further studies using zebrafish models of hyperglycemia will allow us to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.

Testosterone nanoemulsion produced masculinized Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The objective of this work was to develop a food additive for the sex reversal of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) based on a simple oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsion with testosterone propionate for incorporation into commercial feed. Oil screening and evaluation of the organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics were carried out to determine the best formulation. A palatability test was also performed. Sex reversal test was assayed using 5 experimental groups: negative control - macerated feed without hormone; free testosterone - macerated feed with 60 mg/kg of testosterone propionate diluted in ethanol; and macerated feed with testosterone propionate nanoemulsion at a concentration of 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg. Stable nanoemulsions (size 76-210 nm) with testosterone propionate were produced. All nanoemulsion-added feed was palatable to tilapia. We obtained sex reversal values of ≈65, 75, and 72% in the groups of 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg, respectively. We can conclude that the nanoemulsion showed promising results; it is capable of inducing sex reversal in tilapia, is suitable as a commercial product, and has the potential to promote safety for rural staff and reduce the environmental impact of hormones.

Association of maternal diabetes during pregnancy with visual acuity development in offspring: a prospective cohort study

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the association between maternal diabetes before or during pregnancy and visual acuity development in offspring at 1 and 4 years old.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study comprised 301 individuals born in 2015-2017. Those who had maternal diabetes during or before pregnancy (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes) were investigated. Two visual examinations were routinely performed on children relatively at the age of 1 at physical examination and at the age of 4 at admission to school to assess the possible effects of gestational exposure to diabetes on the visual system of the offspring.

RESULTS

Data were collected on children aged 1 and 4, which consisted of 173 children of mothers exposed to diabetes and 128 children of mothers without diabetes). We found no significant association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and visual acuity development in 1-year-old offspring. At 4 years old, the incidence of amblyopia and strabismus was similar in both groups. Prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes was associated with a 171% increased risk of high RE: OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.08, 6.81), p < 0.05. Astigmatism (13.3% vs 5.5%) was found to be significantly more prevalent in children born to mothers with GD than in the controls (p = 0.025 in both groups). Moreover, offspring exposed to PGDM had a higher overall risk of high RE than those exposed to GDM during pregnancy (25.0% vs 17.4%). We further found that in the offspring of diabetic mothers, the risk of high RE was significantly increased among children who were female or who spent more time using electronic devices daily.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that maternal diabetes during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of high RE in offspring. Regular ophthalmological screening should be advised to offspring of mothers with diabetes diagnosed before or during pregnancy.

Effect of hyperglycemia on tbx5a and nppa gene expression and its correlation to structural and functional changes in developing zebrafish heart

The objective of the current study is to analyze the effects of gestational diabetes on structural and functional changes in correlation with these two essential regulators of developing hearts in vivo using zebrafish embryos. We employed fertilized zebrafish embryos exposed to a hyperglycemic condition of 25 mM glucose for 96 h postfertilization. The embryos were subjected to various structural and functional analyses in a time-course manner. The data showed that exposure to high glucose significantly affected the embryo's size, heart length, heart rate, and looping of the heart compared to the control. Further, we observed an increased incidence of ventricular standstill and valvular regurgitation with a marked reduction of peripheral blood flow in the high glucose-exposed group compared to the control. In addition, the histological data showed that the high-glucose exposure markedly reduced the thickness of the wall and the number of cardiomyocytes in both atrium and ventricles. We also observed striking alterations in the pericardium like edema, increase in diameter with thinning of the wall compared to the control group. Interestingly, the expression of tbx5a and nppa was increased in the early development and found to be repressed in the later stage of development in the hyperglycemic group compared to the control. In conclusion, the developing heart is more susceptible to hyperglycemia in the womb, thereby showing various developmental defects possibly by altering the expression of crucial gene regulators such as tbx5a and nppa.

Embryonic Hyperglycemia Delays the Development of Retinal Synapses in a Zebrafish Model

Embryonic hyperglycemia negatively impacts retinal development, leading to abnormal visual behavior, altered timing of retinal progenitor differentiation, decreased numbers of retinal ganglion cells and Müller glia, and vascular leakage. Because synaptic disorganization is a prominent feature of many neurological diseases, the goal of the current work was to study the potential impact of hyperglycemia on retinal ribbon synapses during embryonic development. Our approach utilized reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and immunofluorescence labeling to compare the transcription of synaptic proteins and their localization in hyperglycemic zebrafish embryos, respectively. Our data revealed that the maturity of synaptic ribbons was compromised in hyperglycemic zebrafish larvae, where altered ribeye expression coincided with the delay in establishing retinal ribbon synapses and an increase in the immature synaptic ribbons. Our results suggested that embryonic hyperglycemia disrupts retinal synapses by altering the development of the synaptic ribbon, which can lead to visual defects. Future studies using zebrafish models of hyperglycemia will allow us to study the underlying mechanisms of retinal synapse development.

Exposure of zebrafish embryos to sodium propionate disrupts circadian behavior and glucose metabolism-related development

Sodium propionate is widely used as a preservative in food. The widespread use of preservatives is known to cause both environmental and public health problems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sodium propionate on the developmental behavior and glucose metabolism of zebrafish. Our results showed that sodium propionate had no significant effect on the embryonic morphological development of zebrafish embryos but changed the head eye area. Then we found sodium propionate disturbed the thigmotaxis behavior, impaired neural development. Moreover, changes in clock gene expression disrupted the circadian rhythm of zebrafish. Circadian genes regulated insulin sensitivity and secretion in various tissues. Then our results showed that the disorder of circadian rhythm in zebrafish affected glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, which damaged the development of retina. Therefore, the safety of propionate should be further evaluated.

Embryonic nutritional hyperglycemia decreases cell proliferation in the zebrafish retina

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. While there is a major focus on the study of juvenile/adult DR, the effects of hyperglycemia during early retinal development are less well studied. Recent studies in embryonic zebrafish models of nutritional hyperglycemia (high-glucose exposure) have revealed that hyperglycemia leads to decreased cell numbers of mature retinal cell types, which has been related to a modest increase in apoptotic cell death and altered cell differentiation. However, how embryonic hyperglycemia impacts cell proliferation in developing retinas still remains unknown. Here, we exposed zebrafish embryos to 50 mM glucose from 10 h postfertilization (hpf) to 5 days postfertilization (dpf). First, we confirmed that hyperglycemia increases apoptotic death and decreases the rod and Müller glia population in the retina of 5-dpf zebrafish. Interestingly, the increase in cell death was mainly observed in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ), where most of the proliferating cells are located. To analyze the impact of hyperglycemia in cell proliferation, mitotic activity was first quantified using pH3 immunolabeling, which revealed a significant decrease in mitotic cells in the retina (mainly in the CMZ) at 5 dpf. A significant decrease in cell proliferation in the outer nuclear and ganglion cell layers of the central retina in hyperglycemic animals was also detected using the proliferation marker PCNA. Overall, our results show that nutritional hyperglycemia decreases cellular proliferation in the developing retina, which could significantly contribute to the decline in the number of mature retinal cells.

Vitamin D regulates insulin pathway and glucose metabolism in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂ D₃ ], the most active vitamin D (VD) metabolite, is a steroid hormone playing an important role in many physiological functions in addition to maintaining mineral homeostasis. In this study, we explored the mechanism that the VD regulated insulin pathway and glucose metabolism in zebrafish in vitro and in vivo. Our results show that 1,25(OH)₂ D₃  significantly enhances the expression of insulin receptor a (insra), insulin receptor substrate 1 (irs1) and glucose transporter 2 (glut2), and promotes glycolysis and glycogenesis, while suppressing gluconeogenesis in zebrafish liver cell line (ZFL) under the condition of high glucose (20 mM), instead of the normal glucose (10 mM). Moreover, consistent results were obtained from the zebrafish fed with VD₃ -deficient diet, as well as the cyp2r1^-/- zebrafish, in which endogenous VD metabolism is blocked. Furthermore, results from dual-luciferase reporting system exhibited that 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ directly activated the transcription of insra, rather than insrb in zebrafish by binding to vitamin D response element (VDRE) located at -181 to -167 bp in the promoter region of insra. Importantly, the 1,25(OH)₂ D₃ treatment significantly alleviated the symptoms of hyperglycemia in diabetic zebrafish. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that VD activates VDRE located in the promoter area of insra in zebrafish to promote insulin/insra signaling pathway, thereby contributing to the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.

Chitosan-Based Nanogels: Synthesis and Toxicity Profile for Drug Delivery to Articular Joints

One important challenge in treating avascular-degraded cartilage is the development of new drugs for both pain management and joint preservation. Considerable efforts have been invested in developing nanosystems using biomaterials, such as chitosan, a widely used natural polymer exhibiting numerous advantages, i.e., non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. However, even if chitosan is generally recognized as safe, the safety and biocompatibility of such nanomaterials must be addressed because of potential for greater interactions between nanomaterials and biological systems. Here, we developed chitosan-based nanogels as drug-delivery platforms and established an initial biological risk assessment for osteocartilaginous applications. We investigated the influence of synthesis parameters on the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting nanogels and their potential impact on the biocompatibility on all types of human osteocartilaginous cells. Monodisperse nanogels were synthesized with sizes ranging from 268 to 382 nm according to the acidic solution used (i.e., either citric or acetic acid) with overall positive charge surface. Our results demonstrated that purified chitosan-based nanogels neither affected cell proliferation nor induced nitric oxide production in vitro. However, nanogels were moderately genotoxic in a dose-dependent manner but did not significantly induce acute embryotoxicity in zebrafish embryos, up to 100 µg∙mL⁻¹. These encouraging results hold great promise for the intra-articular delivery of drugs or diagnostic agents for joint pathologies.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants of diabetic mothers

With the increase of the incidence of pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus, the number of infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) are increasing year by year. IDMs may be associated with poor perinatal outcomes and may have a negative impact on neurodevelopment, but there are relatively few studies on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of IDMs. This article reviews the relevant literature and summarizes the neurodevelopmental outcomes of IDMs from the aspects of sensory and perception, motor, language, intellectual development, neuropsychiatric disorders, neurological examination and drug effect, so as to provide reference for clinical work. Citation.

Evaluation of the Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Activity of Spondias purpurea Seeds in a Diabetic Zebrafish Model

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic degenerative disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is associated with an absolute or relative deficiency in the production and/or action of insulin. Some of the complications associated with DM are heart disease, retinopathy, kidney disease, and neuropathy; therefore, new natural alternatives are being sought to control the disease. In this work, we evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Spondias purpurea seed methanol extract (CSM) in vitro and in a glucose-induced diabetic zebrafish model. CSM is capable of lowering blood glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as forming advanced glycation end-products, while not presenting toxic effects at the concentrations evaluated. These data show that CSM has a promising antidiabetic effect and may be useful in reducing some of the pathologies associated with diabetes mellitus.

Advancing Diabetic Retinopathy Research: Analysis of the Neurovascular Unit in Zebrafish

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most important microvascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus, and a leading cause of vision loss or blindness worldwide. Hyperglycaemic conditions disrupt microvascular integrity at the level of the neurovascular unit. In recent years, zebrafish (Danio rerio) have come into focus as a model organism for various metabolic diseases such as diabetes. In both mammals and vertebrates, the anatomy and the function of the retina and the neurovascular unit have been highly conserved. In this review, we focus on the advances that have been made through studying pathologies associated with retinopathy in zebrafish models of diabetes. We discuss the different cell types that form the neurovascular unit, their role in diabetic retinopathy and how to study them in zebrafish. We then present new insights gained through zebrafish studies. The advantages of using zebrafish for diabetic retinopathy are summarised, including the fact that the zebrafish has, so far, provided the only animal model in which hyperglycaemia-induced retinal angiogenesis can be observed. Based on currently available data, we propose potential investigations that could advance the field further.

Which Hyperglycemic Model of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Suites My Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Research? A Scoring System for Available Methods

Despite extensive studies on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), there is no definitive cure, drug, or prevention. Therefore, for developing new therapeutics, proper study models of T2DM is necessary to conduct further preclinical researches. Diabetes has been induced in animals using chemical, genetic, hormonal, antibody, viral, and surgical methods or a combination of them. Beside different approaches of diabetes induction, different animal species have been suggested. Although more than 85% of articles have proposed rat (genus Rattus) as the proper model for diabetes induction, zebrafish (Danio rerio) models of diabetes are being used more frequently in diabetes related studies. In this systematic review, we compare different aspects of available methods of inducing hyperglycemia referred as T2DM in zebrafish by utilizing a scoring system. Evaluating 26 approved models of T2DM in zebrafish, this scoring system may help researchers to compare different T2DM zebrafish models and select the best one regarding their own research theme. Eventually, glyoxalase1 (glo1-/-) knockout model of hyperglycemia achieved the highest score. In addition to assessment of hyperglycemic induction methods in zebrafish, eight most commonly proposed diabetic induction approval methods are suggested to help researchers confirm their subsequent proposed models.

Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection and Regeneration in the Zebrafish Retina

Neurodegenerative retinal diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, involve a gradual loss of neurons in the retina as the disease progresses. Central nervous system neurons are not able to regenerate in mammals, therefore, an often sought after course of treatment for neuronal loss follows a neuroprotective or regenerative strategy. Neuroprotection is the process of preserving the structure and function of the neurons that have survived a harmful insult; while regenerative approaches aim to replace or rewire the neurons and synaptic connections that were lost, or induce regrowth of damaged axons or dendrites. In order to test the neuroprotective effectiveness or the regenerative capacity of a particular agent, a robust experimental model of retinal neuronal damage is essential. Zebrafish are being used more often in this type of study because their eye structure and development is well-conserved between zebrafish and mammals. Zebrafish are robust genetic tools and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. The large array of functional and behavioral tests available in zebrafish makes them an attractive model for neuroprotection studies. Some common insults used to model retinal disease and study neuroprotection in zebrafish include intense light, chemical toxicity and mechanical damage. This review covers the existing retinal neuroprotection and regeneration literature in the zebrafish and highlights their potential for future studies.

Activation of Retinal Angiogenesis in Hyperglycemic pdx1 -/- Zebrafish Mutants

Progression from the initial vascular response upon hyperglycemia to a proliferative stage with neovacularizations is the hallmark of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Here, we report on the novel diabetic pdx1 ^-/- zebrafish mutant as a model for diabetic retinopathy that lacks the transcription factor pdx1 through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout leading to disturbed pancreatic development and hyperglycemia. Larval pdx1 ^-/- mutants prominently show vasodilation of blood vessels through increased vascular thickness in the hyaloid network as direct developmental precursor of the adult retinal vasculature in zebrafish. In adult pdx1 ^-/- mutants, impaired glucose homeostasis induces increased hyperbranching and hypersprouting with new vessel formation in the retina and aggravation of the vascular alterations from the larval to the adult stage. Both vascular aspects respond to antiangiogenic and antihyperglycemic pharmacological interventions in the larval stage and are accompanied by alterations in the nitric oxide metabolism. Thus, the pdx1 ^-/- mutant represents a novel model to study mechanisms of hyperglycemia-induced retinopathy wherein extensive proangiogenic alterations in blood vessel morphology and metabolic alterations underlie the vascular phenotype.