Zebrafish metabolomics: a comprehensive approach to understanding health and disease

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a valuable model in biomedical research due to their genetic similarity to humans, rapid development, and suitability for high-throughput studies. Metabolomic analyses in zebrafish provide critical insights into the biochemical pathways underlying health and disease. This review explores the applications of metabolomics in zebrafish research, highlighting its contributions to understanding embryonic development, tuberculosis, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, and drug-induced toxicity through a thorough literature review. Zebrafish metabolomics reveals dynamic metabolite shifts during vertebrate development. In tuberculosis research, zebrafish models have helped identify metabolic biomarkers with potential translational relevance. Studies on Alzheimer's disease suggest that metabolomics can elucidate neuroprotective mechanisms, while investigations into obesity have provided insights into metabolic imbalances associated with kidney dysfunction. Furthermore, toxicometabolomic studies have demonstrated the utility of zebrafish in assessing drug-induced renal injury. Despite their advantages, zebrafish metabolomics faces challenges, including differences in metabolic rates compared to mammals, the need for standardized protocols, and limitations in metabolite database annotations. Nonetheless, integrating metabolomics with other omics approaches holds great promise for advancing disease research and paving the way for personalized medicine.