Developmental neurotoxicity of reserpine exposure in zebrafish larvae (Danio rerio)

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2019Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & PharmacologyAuthor(s): Shao Wang, Ming Duan, Kaiyu Guan, Xianyong Zhou, Miaomiao Zheng, Xulai Shi, Minjie Ye, Wanchuan Guan, Aarti Kuver, Manli Huang, Yunbing Liu, Kezhi Dai, Xi LiAbstractReserpine is widely used for treatment of hypertension and schizophrenia. As a specific inhibitor of monoamine transporters, reserpine is known to deplete monoamine neurotransmitters and cause decreased movement symptoms. However, how zebrafish larvae respond to reserpine treatment is not well studied. Here we show that swimming distance and average velocity are significantly reduced after reserpine exposure under various stimulatory conditions. Using liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer analysis, decreased levels of monoamines (e.g. dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin) were detected in reserpine-treated larvae. Moreover, reserpine treatment significantly reduced the number of dopaminergic neurons, which was identified with th(Tyrosine Hydroxylase) in situ hybridization in the preoptic area. Interestingly, dopaminergic neuron development-associated genes, such as otpa, otpb, wnt1, wnt3, wnt5 and manf, were downregulated in reserpine treated larvae. Our data indicates that 2 mg/L reserpine exposure induces dopaminergic neuron damage in the brain, demonstrating a chemical induced depression-like model in zebrafish larvae for future drug development.Graphical abstract
Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology and Pharmacology - Category: Toxicology Source Type: research