Abstract

Background: Zebrafish have similar hepatic anatomy and cellular architecture just like mammals. Therefore, a number of investigators are using zebrafish to study liver pathologies. However, the evaluation model specific to liver toxicities in zebra fish was not clearly stated earlier. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to develop a model of embryonic liver toxicity using dexamethasone (DEXA, 0-20 μM) as a standard hepatotoxic agent.

Methods: such toxicities are easily measured by streptavidin-conjugated peroxidase assay after 48- hour post-fertilization (hpf) of DEXA treatment.

Results: In addition to morphological toxicities at different hpf, DEXA showed significant (*p< 0.05 &**p<0.01) reduction of peroxidase-chromogenic dye reaction in the assay as compared to DEXA untreated embryos at 10 & 20 μM concentration that concluded the hepatocellular toxicity of dexamethasone.

Conclusion: Hopefully, the developed model for hepatotoxicity evaluation will be a promising model for the evaluation of new drugs or chemicals as an easy vertebrate model before the commencement of another animal model.

Keywords: Zebra fish, embryonic liver toxicity, streptavidin conjugated peroxidase assay, toxicology, hepatic anatomy, mammals.

Graphical Abstract