Sunday, March 25, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Abstract
Research Advisor: Mr. Christopher Souders, University of Florida, Gainesville
Research Site: Department of Physiology, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, 2187 Mowry Rd, Gainesville FL 32611
Investigating the Effects of Acute Immersion Exposure to the Antidepressant Venlafaxine on Phototaxis in Larval Danio rerio
Background
Antidepressants and their metabolites cannot be conventionally filtered out of water and thus accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and in aquatic organisms. Because neural pathways are conserved in vertebrates, exposure to venlafaxine in waterways may alter fish behavior.
Purpose and Hypothesis
The purpose of investigating the effects of venlafaxine on zebrafish is not only to view potential environmental effects but to assess the translational clinical viability of zebrafish models in neuromodulation. Based on previous studies of venlafaxine on other fish, the hypothesis is that the mood-regulating properties of venlafaxine will decrease anxiety/motility in fish as the concentration of venlafaxine increases.
Methodology
In order to quantify anxiety, 96 zebrafish larvae, following a 24-hour exposure period to 0, 1.25, 12.5, or125 μg/L of venlafaxine, were put in a half black and half translucent well on a 96 well plate which was then illuminated. The movement of the fish (toward either the dark or light side) was tracked for an hour using Daniovision software, which recorded and analyzed the fish movement.
Results
The data shows that venlafaxine markedly inhibits motility in larval zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. The anxiety response to venlafaxine changed with each successive concentration: the lowest and highest dosages decrease anxiety while the middle dosage increased it. This is because venlafaxine’s structure is such that the molecule first binds to serotonin-, then, as the concentration increases, norepinephrine-, and finally dopamine-reuptake proteins, each of which resulted in different anxiety levels, comparable to what would be expected in humans.
Application
This research provides reason to limit pharmaceuticals in our waterways. Further, it illustrates the translational clinical relevance of zebrafish models for neuropharmacology studies and the potential therapeutic use of the same medication to induce different effects with varying dosages, greatly broadening the therapeutic application of pharmaceuticals.
Antidepressants and their metabolites cannot be conventionally filtered out of water and thus accumulate in aquatic ecosystems and in aquatic organisms. Because neural pathways are conserved in vertebrates, exposure to venlafaxine in waterways may alter fish behavior.
Purpose and Hypothesis
The purpose of investigating the effects of venlafaxine on zebrafish is not only to view potential environmental effects but to assess the translational clinical viability of zebrafish models in neuromodulation. Based on previous studies of venlafaxine on other fish, the hypothesis is that the mood-regulating properties of venlafaxine will decrease anxiety/motility in fish as the concentration of venlafaxine increases.
Methodology
In order to quantify anxiety, 96 zebrafish larvae, following a 24-hour exposure period to 0, 1.25, 12.5, or125 μg/L of venlafaxine, were put in a half black and half translucent well on a 96 well plate which was then illuminated. The movement of the fish (toward either the dark or light side) was tracked for an hour using Daniovision software, which recorded and analyzed the fish movement.
Results
The data shows that venlafaxine markedly inhibits motility in larval zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations. The anxiety response to venlafaxine changed with each successive concentration: the lowest and highest dosages decrease anxiety while the middle dosage increased it. This is because venlafaxine’s structure is such that the molecule first binds to serotonin-, then, as the concentration increases, norepinephrine-, and finally dopamine-reuptake proteins, each of which resulted in different anxiety levels, comparable to what would be expected in humans.
Application
This research provides reason to limit pharmaceuticals in our waterways. Further, it illustrates the translational clinical relevance of zebrafish models for neuropharmacology studies and the potential therapeutic use of the same medication to induce different effects with varying dosages, greatly broadening the therapeutic application of pharmaceuticals.
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