Evaluation of the deleterious effects of psychotropic drugs to Zebrafish embryo-larval development

• Grant number: 16/08042-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: January 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Danielle Palma de Oliveira
• Grantee: Maíra Rocha de Souza Prado
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In the last years, the prescription and use of psychotropic drugs have being increasing around the world, consequently the discharge of these drugs and their metabolites have also increased in wastewater. Considering the presence in the environment and the toxic effects to target and non target species, these compounds were classified as emerging water contaminants. The main sources of these compounds are the domestic and hospital treated effluents, because the conventional treatment applied by effluent treatment plants is not efficient to remove most of drugs, and consequently these pollutants reach the water bodies. In this context, it is important to understand the possible damages to humans and ecosystems after exposure to these drugs through contaminated water. In that way, the hypothesis of this research is that psychotropic drugs present in water samples could induce neurologic and development damages in non-target organisms, such as fish. Therefore, we propose the evaluation of teratogenic and neurotoxic effects of the psychotropic drugs Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Venlafaxine and Haloperidol using the determination of the activity of cholinesterase enzyme as biomarker of neurotoxicity in larvae, after the exposure of Danio rerio eggs. Lethality and sub-lethality parameters will be also analyzed in the same organisms to establish the potential of teratogenic effects. These drugs will be tested individually and in mixtures to evaluate the effects of coexposure simulating a real scenario of water pollution. This research will be developed in cooperation with a doctoral student, and it will result in a risk assessment of the presence of these compounds in contaminated river water samples. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

PRADO, Maíra Rocha de Souza. Evaluation of the deleterious effects of psychotropic drugs on the development of the embryonic stages of zebrafish. 2018. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.