Zebrafish Model related Service for Safety Evaluation
Background Services Advantages Published Data FAQs
Background
The main objective of toxicity research is to predict human toxicity via fast and accurate testing of many substances based on model systems, and different routes of drug delivery systems. Toxicity studies typically begin with in vitro studies, using many different cell lines at different sample concentrations. Before being used in patients, the substance will be tested in several animal models, especially in mice and rats. The zebrafish is a suitable model for screening drugs for potential use to treat human diseases based on phylogenetic analysis of fish and human genomes, which shows similar morphology and physiology of the nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. The Food and Drug Administration has recognized zebrafish tests for toxicity and safety evaluations for investigative newly developing drugs. The zebrafish is widely used in numerous subfields of biology, and without a doubt, it is one of the leading species in various research areas, including developmental biology, ecotoxicology, and genetics. Zebrafish larvae can be used as a first-level model for toxicity to classify toxic drug candidates so that more stable drugs can be evaluated in mammalian models. In early screening tests, zebrafish are usually used in a high-throughput manner to determine the toxicity of a sample. They are commonly utilized to test for developmental toxicity, and general toxicity and to carry out medication screening as a credible vertebrate model. Zebrafish are a useful tool not only for understanding the structure and chemistry of neurotoxicants but also for assessing the behavioral dysfunction associated with this toxicity. Zebrafish models can be suitable substitutes for laboratory animals such as rats, mice, and rabbits. Zebrafish embryos and larvae showed significantly higher susceptibility to toxins than did adult zebrafish. With the use of modern technology, zebrafish may become an important alternative to other mammal models in the coming years. The zebrafish presents a powerful in vivo preclinical model for assessing the adverse effects of a wide range of drugs.
Services: Types of Tests Used to Study Toxicity in Zebrafish
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The zebrafish embryo toxicity test (FET)
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Carcinogenicity
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Developmental toxicity and teratogenicity assessments
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Reproductive toxicity assessment
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Behavioral toxicity assessment
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Endocrine disorders
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Acute toxicity
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Neurotoxicity
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Cardiotoxicity
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Vascular toxicity
Fig.2 Toxicological studies performed in zebrafish.2, 4
Advantages of Zebrafish Models
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Large embryos
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Large numbers of embryos for testing.
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Simple visualization of organogenesis using fluorescence and transgenic strains.
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High-efficiency short test time
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The low number of necessary compounds.
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Direct delivery compounds
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Ease of handling
Published Data
Effect of Probiotics on Allethrin Toxicity: an In Vivo Study Using Zebrafish Model3, 4
Abstract
Allethrin was widely used in pest management. The major goal of this study is to determine if probiotics have any protective benefits in lowering allethrin toxicity with zebrafish as a model system. The results showed that the probiotic Bacillus licheniformis helped reduce the toxic effects. The study also shows that zebrafish is an excellent in vivo preclinical model for testing the harmful effects of various drugs and determining the effectiveness of treatment.
Fig.3 Liver tissue changes after probiotic treatment.3, 4
Frequently Asked Questions
Can zebrafish models be used in drug safety evaluation?
Yes, zebrafish models are indeed used in drug safety evaluation. Their unique characteristics make them a valuable tool for this purpose. Here are some key applications:
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Toxicity Testing: Zebrafish are used to assess the toxicity of new drug candidates. Their small size and transparency allow for high-throughput screening of compounds to identify potential toxic effects early in the drug development process.
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Developmental Toxicity: Researchers use zebrafish to study the effects of drugs on embryonic development. This helps in identifying teratogenic effects (birth defects) that might not be detected in traditional mammalian models.
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Organ-Specific Toxicity: Zebrafish models are used to evaluate toxicity in specific organs, such as the liver (hepatotoxicity), kidneys (nephrotoxicity), and heart (cardiotoxicity).
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Drug Metabolism: Zebrafish can perform both phase I and phase II drug metabolism reactions, making them useful for studying how drugs are processed in the body.
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Seizure and Abuse Liability: Zebrafish are used to assess the potential for drugs to cause seizures or be abused.
These applications demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of zebrafish in preclinical safety assessment, helping to predict potential adverse effects before advancing to human trials.
At what stage of preclinical studies of probiotics involves in vivo safety assessment?
In vivo safety assessment of probiotics typically occurs after initial
in vitro testing in the preclinical stage. Here's a detailed breakdown:
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Post In Vitro Testing: Once probiotics pass initial in vitro tests for antibiotic resistance, hemolytic activity, and metabolic safety, they move to in vivo testing.
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Acute Toxicity Testing: In vivo assessments begin with acute toxicity studies, where animals (e.g., zebrafish, mice) are exposed to a single high dose of the probiotic to observe any immediate adverse effects.
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Subchronic and Chronic Toxicity: These studies involve administering the probiotic over longer periods (weeks to months) to evaluate potential longer-term toxic effects and the cumulative impact on health.
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Specific Organ Toxicity: Researchers assess the impact of probiotics on specific organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, to ensure they do not cause harm to these vital systems.
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Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity: Studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of probiotics on reproduction and development, ensuring that they do not negatively impact these critical life stages.
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Pathogenicity and Colonization: In vivo tests also involve assessing whether probiotics can colonize the gut without causing infections or other harmful effects.
These stages help ensure that probiotics are safe for further development and eventual human trials.
Creative Biolabs' zebrafish model platform has accumulated rich technical and project experience. If you want to evaluate the safety of drugs, please do not hesitate to contact us. We believe that through further communication, you will better understand our professional capabilities.
References
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Modarresi Chahardehi, Amir, Hasni Arsad, and Vuanghao Lim. "Zebrafish as a successful animal model for screening toxicity of medicinal plants." Plants 9.10 (2020): 1345.
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Haque, Enamul, and Alister C. Ward. "Zebrafish as a model to evaluate nanoparticle toxicity." Nanomaterials 8.7 (2018): 561.
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Kodidasu, Anusha, et al. "Effect of Probiotics on Allethrin Toxicity: an In Vivo Study Using Zebrafish Model." (2022).
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Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
For Research Use Only. Not intended for use in food manufacturing or medical procedures (diagnostics or therapeutics). Do Not Use in Humans.
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