The Biobehavioral Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Neural Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish

Name

Dalton J. Anderson, Georgia Southern UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2024

Major

Biology (B.S.B.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Joshua Herrington

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to improve understanding of the neurodevelopmental effects of embryonic exposure to elevated inflammation and oxidative stress induced by the antipyretic drug acetaminophen (APAP). Our study was the first to examine the interactive effects of APAP and inflammation in zebrafish embryos and how the treatments affect brain development and larval behavior. Experimental groups of zebrafish larvae were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, APAP, or LPS + APAP and larval behavior was analyzed using Ethovision automated behavioral tracking software. We also measured changes in whole-brain Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK3B) and GSK3B phosphorylation, a common biomarker in ASD populations that has been implicated in abnormal brain development. Analysis of larval behavior revealed that the LPS and LPS + APAP groups displayed significantly less activity when exposed to a light/dark stimuli test. In addition, the LPS + APAP group showed significantly elevated ratios of pGSK3B/totalGSK3B compared to controls, which could be an indicator of atypical neuronal development.

Thesis Summary

The purpose of this research is to improve understanding of the neurodevelopmental effects of embryonic exposure to elevated inflammation and oxidative stress induced by the antipyretic drug acetaminophen (APAP). Our study was the first to examine the interactive effects of APAP and inflammation in zebrafish embryos and how the treatments affect brain development and larval behavior. Experimental groups of zebrafish larvae were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce inflammation, APAP, or LPS + APAP and larval behavior was analyzed using Ethovision automated behavioral tracking software. We also measured changes in whole-brain Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta (GSK3B) and GSK3B phosphorylation, a common biomarker in ASD populations that has been implicated in abnormal brain development. Analysis of larval behavior revealed that the LPS and LPS + APAP groups displayed significantly less activity when exposed to a light/dark stimuli test. In addition, the LPS + APAP group showed significantly elevated ratios of pGSK3B/totalGSK3B compared to controls, which could be an indicator of atypical neuronal development.

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Dalton J., "The Biobehavioral Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Neural Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish" (2024). Honors College Theses. 995.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/honors-theses/995