Persistent impact of amitriptyline on the behavior, brain neurotransmitter, and transcriptional profile of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Xuchun Qiu, Chen Chen, Yanhong Shi, Kun Chen, Ming Li, Hai Xu, Xiangyang Wu, Yuki Takai, Yohei Shimasaki, Yuji Oshima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Discontinuation of amitriptyline (AMI) has been demonstrated to induce long-term withdrawal syndromes in mammals. However, no studies have focused on the persistent impacts of short-term AMI exposure on teleosts. Here, following exposure to AMI (2.5 and 40 μg/L) for 7 days (E7), zebrafish were transferred into AMI-free water to recover for 21 days (R21). The behavior, brain neurotransmitters, and brain transcriptional profiles were investigated on E7 and R21. AMI exposure induced persistent hypoactivity (2.5 and 40 μg/L) and abnormal schooling behavior (40 μg/L). AMI also induced long-term impacts on the brain serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine levels, several of which showed significant correlations with the locomotor activity or schooling behavior. Transcriptional analysis revealed persistent dysregulation in the pathways involved in the circadian rhythm, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and axon guidance in brain samples. Twelve genes were predicted as key driver genes in response to AMI exposure, and their significantly differential expression may direct changes across the related molecular networks. Moreover, upregulated brain 5-HT may serve as the central modulator of the persistent AMI pathogenesis in zebrafish. Considering AMI residues in natural waters may temporarily exceed μg/L, corresponding persistent adverse effects on teleosts should not be ignored.

Original languageEnglish
Article number106129
JournalAquatic Toxicology
Volume245
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aquatic Science
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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