Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/s12302-015-0040-y
Title (Primary) The value of zebrafish as an integrative model in effect-directed analysis - a review
Author Di Paolo, C.; Seiler, T.-B.; Keiter, S.; Hu, M.; Muz, M.; Brack, W.; Hollert, H.
Source Titel Environmental Sciences Europe
Year 2015
Department WANA
Volume 27
Page From art. 8
Language englisch
Keywords Effect-directed analysis; Bioassay-guided fractionation; Zebrafish; Embryo; Larva; Bioassay; In vitro; In vivo
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract Bioassays play a central role in effect-directed analysis (EDA), and their selection and application have to consider rather specific aspects of this approach. Meanwhile, bioassays with zebrafish, an established model organism in different research areas, are increasingly being utilized in EDA. Aiming to contribute for the optimal application of zebrafish bioassays in EDA, this review provides a critical overview of previous EDA investigations that applied zebrafish bioassays, discusses the potential contribution of such methods for EDA and proposes strategies to improve future studies. Over the last 10 years, zebrafish bioassays have guided EDA of natural products and environmental samples. The great majority of studies performed bioassays with embryos and early larvae, which allowed small-scale and low-volume experimental setups, minimized sample use and reduced workload. Biotesting strategies applied zebrafish bioassays as either the only method guiding EDA or instead integrated into multiple bioassay approaches. Furthermore, tiered biotesting applied zebrafish methods in both screening phase as well as for further investigations. For dosing, most of the studies performed solvent exchange of extracts and fractions to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as carrier. However, high DMSO concentrations were required for the testing of complex matrix extracts, indicating that future studies might benefit from the evaluation of alternative carrier solvents or passive dosing. Surprisingly, only a few studies reported the evaluation of process blanks, indicating a need to improve and standardize methods for blank preparation and biotesting. Regarding evaluated endpoints, while acute toxicity brought limited information, the assessment of specific endpoints was of strong value for bioactivity identification. Therefore, the bioassay specificity and sensitivity to identify the investigated bioactivity are important criteria in EDA. Additionally, it might be necessary to characterize the most adequate exposure windows and assessment setups for bioactivity identification. Finally, a great advantage of zebrafish bioassays in EDA of environmental samples is the availability of mechanism- and endpoint-specific methods for the identification of important classes of contaminants. The evaluation of mechanism-specific endpoints in EDA is considered to be a promising strategy to facilitate the integration of EDA into weight-of-evidence approaches, ultimately contributing for the identification of environmental contaminants causing bioassay and ecological effects.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=15973
Di Paolo, C., Seiler, T.-B., Keiter, S., Hu, M., Muz, M., Brack, W., Hollert, H. (2015):
The value of zebrafish as an integrative model in effect-directed analysis - a review
Environ. Sci. Eur. 27 , art. 8 10.1186/s12302-015-0040-y