Toxicity of thioacetamide and protective effects of quercetin in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound with a variety of biological properties that is widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Studies have found that quercetin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and liver-protective effects, while thioacetamide (TAA) can cause inflammation and liver damage in zebrafish larvae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether quercetin can prevent TAA-induced inflammation and liver damage in zebrafish larvae and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Zebrafish Tg transgenic lines were used as the experimental animals. Behavioral, oxidative stress level, proliferative antigen chromogenic antibody, and western blot analyses were carried out on zebrafish larvae in the control group and groups treated with TAA and 12 μM quercetin. The results indicated that quercetin promoted the development of zebrafish larvae damaged by TAA, exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and promoted cell proliferation. Quercetin reduced the expression of p53 protein in zebrafish larvae injured by TAA, resulting in decreased levels of Bax and increased levels of Bcl-2. The findings suggested quercetin has antiapoptotic action. Quercetin reduced the expression of DKK1 and DKK2 genes related to the Wnt signaling pathway in zebrafish larvae damaged by TAA and increased the expression of Lef1 and wnt2bb. Quercetin may regulate the development of zebrafish larvae damaged by TAA through the Wnt signaling pathway. This study provides the scientific basis for the development and utilization of quercetin and the development of new related drugs.