Bio
Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of West Indies, Mona campus, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of West Indies, Mona campus, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, primarily due to impaired heart function or sudden fluctuations in heart rate. Accurate assessment of heart rate and function is crucial for predicting cardiovascular risk, making it essential to evaluate how various drugs affect the heart. This study investigates the impact of commonly abused substances—alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis—on heart rate and function using zebrafish as a model.
Objective: The aim is to compare the effects of these substances on zebrafish heart rate and function both the direct effects on isolated zebrafish hearts with the indirect effects observed in live animals to evaluate the efficacy of zebrafish as a model for cardiovascular research.
Method: Healthy adult zebrafish were euthanized, and their hearts isolated for in vitro drug exposure. The isolated hearts were examined using a digital microscope system, and results were analyzed with ImageJ and statistical software. For indirect analysis, zebrafish were treated with drugs before euthanasia and heart isolation. These findings were compared to results from previous in vivo studies on zebrafish larvae.
Results: Alcohol decreased heart rate, while cannabis and nicotine increased it. The combination of alcohol and nicotine showed no change in heart rate, whereas cannabis and nicotine together led to increased rates. A combination of all three drugs resulted in decreased heart rates. Direct effects observed in isolated hearts were more pronounced than those seen in the indirect effects from whole animal treatment.
Conclusion: Zebrafish exhibit varied heart rate responses to alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis, with alcohol having a predominant depressant effect. The zebrafish model effectively demonstrates how these drugs impact cardiovascular function, supporting its use in cardiovascular research.
Keywords: Alcohol, Cannabis, Nicotine, Zebrafish, Heart Rate
References:
- Peterson, T. S., & Baird, C. E. (2016). “Zebrafish as a Model System for Cardiovascular Research.” Cardiovascular Research, 112(2), 335-345.
- Smith, J., Brown, L., & Taylor, R. (2021). Effects of Environmental Stressors on Cardiovascular Function in Zebrafish Larvae. Journal of Experimental Biology, 224(3), jeb240107.
- Weiss, J. N., et al. (2008). “The Role of the Heart Rate in Cardiovascular Health.” Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 52(2), 200-209.