Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 27, 2026

High-throughput Measurement of Gut Transit Time Using Larval Zebrafish
06:48

High-throughput Measurement of Gut Transit Time Using Larval Zebrafish

Published on: October 23, 2018

8.7K

Acetylcholine serves as a derepressor in Loperamide-induced Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction (OIBD) in zebrafish

Yanyan Shi1, Yu Zhang1, Fangying Zhao2

  • 11] The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Bioresources and Eco-environments, Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Beibei, 400715 Chongqing, China [2].

Scientific Reports
|July 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Acetylcholine (ACh) counteracts opioid effects on gut motility, offering insights into Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction (OIBD). This study utilized zebrafish to model OIBD and identify ACh as a key therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gut development and peristalsis are crucial physiological processes.
  • Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction (OIBD) pathogenesis remains poorly understood.
  • Zebrafish are a valuable model for studying gut dynamics and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanisms of gut lumen formation and peristalsis in vivo.
  • To establish and characterize a zebrafish model for Opioid-Induced Bowel Dysfunction (OIBD).
  • To identify key molecular players involved in OIBD.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized zebrafish as a model organism for gut studies.
  • Employed DCFH-DA dye for live imaging of the gut lumen.
  • Induced an OIBD-like phenotype using Loperamide Hydrochloride (LH), a μ-opioid receptor agonist.

Main Results:

  • Characterized gut lumen formation and peristaltic movement in zebrafish.
  • Successfully established a zebrafish model mimicking OIBD.
  • Identified acetylcholine (ACh) as a critical neurotransmitter that reverses LH-induced gut dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • The antagonistic effect of ACh on the opioid pathway in the gut is evolutionarily conserved.
  • The developed OIBD-like zebrafish model is a valuable tool for future research into gut pathology.
  • This study provides a foundation for understanding and potentially treating OIBD.

More Related Videos

Identification of Orexin and Endocannabinoid Receptors in Adult Zebrafish Using Immunoperoxidase and Immunofluorescence Methods08:37

Identification of Orexin and Endocannabinoid Receptors in Adult Zebrafish Using Immunoperoxidase and Immunofluorescence Methods

Published on: June 25, 2019

7.7K
Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM08:15

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor GIMM

Published on: December 1, 2010

34.0K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
1.0K
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS01:17

Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS characterized primarily by frequent, loose, or watery stools, abdominal pain, and abdominal discomfort. Therapeutic approaches to managing IBS-D include dietary changes, stress management techniques, and pharmaceutical interventions.
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
999
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS

Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
1.4K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives01:20

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives

Laxatives are primarily used to alleviate constipation, a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. They work by various mechanisms to increase the volume or frequency of bowel movements. The primary modes of action of laxatives include increasing stool bulk, softening the stool, stimulating intestinal motility, and osmotically drawing water into the intestines.
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
1.6K
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives01:22

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives

Laxatives enhance bowel movements and alleviate constipation. They augment the stool's bulk, stimulate intestinal muscle contractions, draw water into the intestines, or soften the stool. There are five key types of laxatives: bulk laxatives, stimulant laxatives, osmotic laxatives, stool softeners, and lubricant laxatives.
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This...
899
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:28

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Prokinetic agents are specialized medications that stimulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility, promoting food movement through the GI tract. Dopamine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, plays a significant role in this process, reducing GI motility and indirectly controlling the speed of digestion. Dopamine receptor antagonists, such as metoclopramide and domperidone, offer a unique advantage as prokinetic agents. By blocking the dopamine receptors, these drugs increase GI motility, improving food...
1.9K