Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Tale of Two Toxins: Assessing Cardiotoxicity of Nicotine & Ethanol in Embryonic Zebrafish

Publication Date

2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jinhee Park

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Introduction: Nicotine and alcohol are two widely consumed substances known to have harmful effects on the cardiovascular system. While nicotine disrupts vascular function, alcohol similarly impairs cardiac function, making both targets for developmental toxicology research. This study aims to investigate morphological cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos to understand the structural and functional impairments caused by substance exposure during early development.

Methods: Wild-type (WT) and cryaba knockout (cryaba KO) zebrafish (Danio rerio) eggs were gathered following overnight breeding and allowed to develop for 24 hours post-fertilization. After removing impurities, embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of nicotine (50-300 µM) or alcohol for either short-term (1 hour) or long-term (24 hours) durations. Phenotypic assessments were performed using stereomicroscopy, with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) used to stabilize the embryos, and then imaged to detect any heart edema and gross morphological abnormalities. Quantitative data were collected by measuring heart rates, and Fiji software was used to assess cardiac edema.

Results: Initial exposures to 50 µM and 100 µM nicotine resulted in minimal changes in heart rate, although cardiac edema was observed in both WT and cryaba KO embryos. Consequently, higher concentrations of 200 µM and 300 µM nicotine were tested. Short-term exposure caused a rapid decrease in heart rate, while long-term exposure led to severe developmental deformities and complete embryonic lethality. In contrast, short-term alcohol exposure (1%-2.5%) caused a modest reduction in heart rate but was notably associated with increased spontaneous twitching movements in embryos.

Conclusion: Both substances demonstrate dose- and time-dependent cardiotoxicity in zebrafish hearts. These results highlight the detrimental impact of toxic substances on early cardiac development, initiating further research into teratogenic mechanisms.

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This is a poster presentation!

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