Behavioral Changes and Metabolic Responses of Adult Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Exposed to Methamphetamine

Abstract

At sublethal concentrations, methamphetamine may still have adverse effects on aquatic organisms. This study examined the behavioral and metabolomic response of adult zebrafish (Danio Rerio) exposed to methamphetamine at three concentrations in comparison to the control. We found that even at low concentrations, metabolic effects and behavioral changes were observed. We profiled the metabolites from zebrafish brain after methamphetamine exposure. A total of 11, 23, and 28 dysfunctional metabolites at three exposure concentrations were respectively identified relative to the control, mainly including lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylcholine, amino acids, carnitine, and long-chain fatty acids. Methamphetamine exposure might induce oxidative stress, energy metabolism disorders, and inflammation-associated diseases in zebrafish. Seven metabolic pathways related to the disruption of amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism were affected in all three exposure groups, including the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, phenylalanine metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism. The anxiety levels of individuals exposed to methamphetamine were elevated, whereas their social interaction, as well as learning and memory, were depressed. Further ecologically important effects may occur due to the modification of fish behavior.