US EPA

7417710 

Journal Article 

Carbofuran induces increased anxiety-like behaviors in female zebrafish (Danio rerio) through disturbing dopaminergic/norepinephrinergic system 

Liu, S; Yu, M; Xie, X; Ru, Y; Ru, S; , 

2020 

Yes 

Chemosphere
ISSN: 0045-6535
EISSN: 1879-1298 

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 

OXFORD 

253 

126635 

English 

32278909 

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126635 

WOS:000536175700022 

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0045653520308286
Exit
 

Carbofuran, a carbamate pesticide, is widely used in developing countries to manage insect pests. Studies have found that carbofuran posed potential risks for the neurotransmitter systems of non-target species, we speculated that these disruptive effects on the neurotransmitter systems could trigger anxiety-like behaviors. In this study, female zebrafish were exposed to environmental levels (5, 50, and 500 μg/L) of carbofuran for 48 h to evaluate the effects of carbofuran on anxiety-like behaviors. Results showed that zebrafish exhibited more anxiety-like behaviors which proved by the observed higher bottom trend and more erratic movements in the novel tank after carbofuran treatment. In order to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of carbofuran-induced anxiety-promoting effects, we measured the levels of neurotransmitters, precursors, and major metabolites, along with the level of gene expression and the enzyme activities involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism. The results demonstrated that acute carbofuran exposure stimulated the mRNA expression and enzyme activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, which sequentially induced the increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor relieved the anxiety-related changes induced by carbofuran, confirming the overactive tyrosine hydroxylase-mediated accumulation of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain was one of the main reasons for carbofuran-induced anxiety-like behaviors in the female zebrafish. Overall, our study indicated the environmental health risks of carbamate pesticide in inducing neurobehavioral disorders and provided novel insights into the investigation of the relevant underlying mechanisms. 

Anxiety-like behavior; Carbofuran; Neurotransmitters; Zebrafish; Amines; Amino acids; Developing countries; Enzyme activity; Gene expression; Health risks; Metabolites; Neurophysiology; Pesticides; Carbamate pesticides; Disruptive effects; Environmental health risks; Environmental levels; Molecular mechanism; mRNA expression; Promoting effect; Tyrosine hydroxylase; Norepinephrine; 3 o methyldopamine; 4 aminobutyric acid; 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid; carbofuran; catechol methyltransferase; dopamine; dopamine beta monooxygenase; epinephrine; glutamine; levodopa; messenger RNA; neurotransmitter; noradrenalin; serotonin; tyrosine; tyrosine 3 monooxygenase; agents interacting with transmitter, hormone or drug receptors; carbofuran; dopamine; insecticide; noradrenalin; tyrosine 3 monooxygenase; brain; cyprinid; female behavior; health risk; induced response; pesticide; animal behavior; animal cell; animal experiment; animal tissue; anxiety; Article; brain tissue; cell loss; controlled study; down regulation; enzyme activity; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; mesencephalon; mRNA expression level; nerve cell; Nissl staining; nonhuman; swimming; thalamus ventral nucleus; upregulation; zebra fish; animal; anxiety; brain; drug effect; metabolism; physiology; zebra fish; Danio rerio; Hexapoda; Animals; Anxiety; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Carbofuran; Dopamine; Female; Insecticides; Neurotransmitter Agents; Norepinephrine; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; Zebrafish