Tyramine-induced gastrointestinal dysregulation is attenuated via estradiol associated mechanisms in a zebrafish larval model

Development of targeted therapeutics to alleviate gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation and its debilitating consequences are required. In this context, the trace aminergic system may link together sex, diet and inflammation. Utilising a zebrafish larval model of GI inflammation, the current study aimed to investigate mechanisms by which excess amounts of trace amines (TAs) may influence GI health. In addition, we probed the potential role of 17β-estradiol (E2) and its receptors, given the known female-predominance of many GI disorders. To assess GI functionality and integrity, live imaging techniques (neutral red staining) and post-mortem immunofluorescent staining of tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) were analyzed respectively. In addition, behavioural assays, as an indication of overall wellbeing, as well as whole body H₂O₂ and prostaglandin E2 assays were performed to inform on oxidative and inflammatory status. Excess β-phenethylamine (PEA), tryptamine (TRP) and ρ-tyramine (TYR) resulted in adverse GI and systemic effects. In this regard, clear beneficial effects of E2 to modulate the effects of PEA, TRP and TYR was evident. Moreover, agmatine displayed potential protective effects on GI epithelium and whole body oxidative status, however, potential to induce systemic inflammation suggests the importance of dosage and administration optimisation. Taken together, TYR seems like the most prominent TA to have damaging GI effects, feasibly exacerbating GI inflammation. In this context, the relative lack of E2 may provide mechanistic insights into the reported female-predominance of GI disorders. Moreover, an effective therapeutic in this context may be required to maintain GI TA load despite fluctuating E2 levels.