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Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Toxicity Screening Using Zebrafish Embryo Startle Response Assay
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Vape flavourants dull sensory perception and cause hyperactivity in developing zebrafish embryos
Patrick T Gauthier1, Alison C Holloway2, Mathilakath M Vijayan1
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Biology Letters
|September 22, 2020
Summary
E-cigarette flavorings, even without nicotine, can impact fetal brain development by altering sensory perception and activity levels in zebrafish embryos. These findings highlight potential neurotoxic risks of prenatal vaping exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- E-cigarette (vaping) use during pregnancy is rising.
- Nicotine in vapes is a known neurotoxicant, but the effects of flavorings alone on fetal brain development are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen vape aerosol extracts (VAEs) for potential prenatal neurotoxicity.
- To assess the impact of vape flavorings, with and without nicotine, on neurobehavior in a zebrafish embryo model.
Main Methods:
- Used zebrafish embryo photomotor response (PMR) as a translational biosensor.
- Screened three common vape liquids (flavored and flavorless) with and without nicotine.
- Analyzed VAEs for neurobehavioral effects.
Main Results:
- Nicotine-free, flavorless VAEs showed no effects.
- Nicotine alone or with flavorless VAEs dulled sensory perception.
- Nicotine-free flavored VAEs caused hyperactivity and dulled sensory perception.
- Flavored VAEs without nicotine demonstrated significant neuroactive potency, similar to nicotine.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish PMR is a high-throughput model for assessing prenatal exposure neurotoxicity.
- Screened e-cigarette flavorants induce neurobehavioral effects, warranting further investigation for long-term neurotoxic potential.
- Vape flavorings can modulate the impact of nicotine on the developing brain.
