Biology subjects

Costa, B. P. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Costa, B. P. D..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

The anxiolytic-like effect of the aqueous extract of Punica granatum depends on the stress level of fish and mice: Evidence of a homeostatic re-establishing effect

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) has shown potential anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in preclinical research, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Importantly, some evidence suggests that the effects of P. granatum depend on previous stress, suggesting an adaptogenic effect. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effects of an aqueous extract of P. granatum (AE-PG) on lambaris and zebrafish exposed to acute restraint stress (ARS) and female BALB/c mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress (CUMS). In addition, we evaluated antidepressant-like effects in female BALB/c mice. Acute administration of AE-PG (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested in the novel tank test (NTT) in lambaris and zebrafish and in the light/dark test (LDT) in zebrafish, while chronic (7 days) administration of AE-PG (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), open-field test (OFT), splash test (ST), and forced swim test (FST) in mice. ARS increased geotaxis and erratic swimming in the NTT, as well as scototaxis, risk assessment, and erratic swimming in the LDT. Acute pre-treatment with AE-PG blocked the effects of ARS on these anxiety-like endpoints in both lambaris and zebrafish. CUMS increased open arm avoidance in the EPM, thigmotaxis and horizontal and vertical exploration in the OFT, and immobility in the FST, and decreased grooming in the ST. Chronic treatment with AE-PG blocked the effects of CUMS on anxiety-like endpoints, and depression-like endpoints, in mice. An in silico analysis of the main compounds in AE-PG suggested a possible mechanism of action on a wide network of targets that converge on PI3K/Akt and show differential expression in brain regions associated with fear- and anxiety-like behavior. Molecular docking suggests that a compound from AE-PG, ellagic acid, is likely to act through estrogen receptors, which could help reestablish homeostatic balance in response to stress.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2025

Role of the 5HT2C receptor in anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The present study aims to describe the acute effects of 5-HT2C receptor agonists and antagonists in behavioral tests related to anxiety in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). For this, three groups of fish (n = 12/group) were used: a group treated with the drug MK-212 (2 mg/kg), a 5-HT2C receptor agonist; another group treated with the drug RS-102221 (2 mg/kg), a 5-HT2C receptor antagonist; and a third group, the control group, using a vehicle solution. The three groups were exposed to two behavioral tests: novel tank test (NTT) and light-dark preference (LDT). MK-212 produced no effects on the NTT, while RS-102221 decreased geotaxis (d = 0.99, 95%CI[0.3, 1.7]) and erratic swimming (d = 0.87, 95%CI[0.18, 1.56]) in this test; these effects are consistent with a tonic facilitation of defensive behavior in the NTT. Conversely, in the LDT, MK-212 increased scototaxis (d = 0.96, 95%CI[0.25, 1.65]), risk assessment (d = -1.31, 95%CI[-2.02, -0.59]), and thigmotaxis (d = -1.48, 95%CI[-2.21, -0.75]), consistent with an anxiogenic-like effect of this drug. Thus, tonic and phasic effects of the activation of this receptor are observed depending on the type of behavioral test used.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Roles of the 5-HT1A receptor in zebrafish responses to potential threat and in sociality

Anxiety is a normal emotion representing a reaction to potential danger, whereas fear can be defined as a reaction to real, explicit danger. Anxiety-like behavior in animal models has been associated with differences in the serotonergic system. Treatment of zebrafish cohorts with 8-OH-DPAT, a full agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor, decreased anxiety-like behavior in the novel tank test, but increased it in the phototaxis (light-dark preference) assay, both considered assays for anxiety-like behavior for this species. The same treatment decreased social approach in both the social investigation and social novelty phases of the social preference test. Blocking the 5-HT1A receptor with WAY 100,635 shifted the dose-response curve for the novel tank test rightward. These effects suggest a participation of the 5-HT 1A heteroreceptors in zebrafish anxiety and social preference, increasing anxiety and decreasing sociality. Thus, the study of this receptor is important for a better understanding of anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish and its relationship with similar phenomena in vertebrates. Preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.17.588464v1 Data: https://github.com/lanec-unifesspa/5HT/tree/main/5HT1A Lay summaryThis study looked at how a certain type of protein, the 5-HT1A receptor, affected anxiety in zebrafish. Its important to understand that anxiety is a normal feeling we all get when were worried or scared about something, while fear is a reaction to an immediate danger. The researchers wanted to see how a specific drug that activates the 5-HT1A receptor, 8-OH-DPAT, affected the behavior of the fish. They used different tests to see how the fish reacted in different situations. When the fish were given the drug, their anxiety-like behavior decreased in one test where they were put in a new tank. But in another test where they had to choose between light and dark areas, their anxiety-like behavior actually increased. It also made the fish less interested in being social with other fish. When a drug that blocks the 5-HT1A receptor, WAY 100,635, was give together with 8-OH-DPAT, evidence was found for a receptor reserve. The researchers found that this drug affected the way the fish behaved in these situations. It seemed to make them more anxious in some cases and less interested in being social. This tells us that the receptor has an impact on how the fish are feeling, which can help us learn more about anxiety in zebrafish and, potentially, in other animals too, including humans. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=150 SRC="FIGDIR/small/588464v3_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (29K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14b3f13org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11a2217org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b42602org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@12b51c4_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Significance statementThis research indicates that 5-HT1A heteroreceptors play a key role in increasing anxiety and decreasing sociality across vertebrates, shedding light on neural mechanisms that could inform treatments for anxiety-related disorders.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Roles of the 5-HT2C receptor on zebrafish sociality

Serotonin (5-HT) receptors have been implicated in social behavior in vertebrates. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been increasingly being used behavioral neuroscience to study the neurobiological correlates of behavior, including sociality. Nonetheless, the role of 5-HT2C receptors in different social functions were not yet studied in this species. Zebrafish were treated with the agonist MK-212 (2 mg/kg) or the antagonist RS-102221 (2 mg/kg) and tested in the social interaction and social novelty tests, conditional approach test, or mirror-induced aggressive displays. MK-212 increased preference for an unknown conspecific in the social investigation test, but also increased preference for the known conspecific in the social novelty test; RS-102221, on the other hand, decreased preference in the social investigation test but increased preference for the novel conspecific in the social novelty test. MK-212 also decreased predator inspection in the conditional approach test. While RS-102221 decreased time in the display zone in the mirror-induced aggressive display test, it increased display duration. Overall, these results demonstrate the complex role of 5-HT2C receptors in different social contexts in zebrafish, revealing a participation in social plasticity in vertebrates.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRE-EYE-TETRA Moenkhausia oligolepis (CHARACIFORMES: CHARACIDAE)

This study describes the embryonic development of Moenkhausia oligolepis in captive conditions. After fertilization, the embryos were collected every 10 min up to 2 h, every 20 min up to 4 h, and every 30 min until hatching. The fertilized eggs of M. oligolepis measured approximately 0.85 {+/-} 0.5 mm and have an adhesive surface. The embryonic development lasted 14 hours at 25{degrees}C, with the Zygote, Cleavage, Blastula, Gastrula, Neurula and Segmentation phases. The hatching occurred in embryos around the 30-somites stage. Our results bring only the second description of embryonic development to a species of Moenkhausia genus, the first for the refereed species. Such data are of paramount importance considering the current conflicting state of this genus phylogenetic classification and may help taxonomic studies. Understand the biology of a species that is easily handling in captive conditions and has an ornamental appeal may assist studies in its reproduction in order to both, supply the aquarium market and help the species conservation in nature. Moreover, our data enable the M. oligolepis to be used as a model species in biotechnological applications, such germ cell transplantation approach.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Behavioral and biochemical effects of ethanol withdrawal in zebrafish

Chronic alcohol use induces adaptations and toxicity that can induce symptoms of anxiety, autonomic hyperarousal, and epileptic seizures when alcohol is removed (withdrawal syndrome). Zebrafish has recently gained wide attention as a behavioral model to study the neurobehavioral effects of acute and chronic alcohol use, including withdrawal. The literature, however, is very contradictory on findings regarding withdrawal effects, with some studies reporting increased anxiety, while others report no effect. A meta-analytic approach was taken to find the sources of this heterogeneity, and ethanol concentration during exposure and exposure duration were found to be the main sources of variation. A conceptual replication was also made using continuous exposure for 16 days in waterborne ethanol (0.5%) and assessing anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark test after 60 min withdrawal. Withdrawal was shown to reduce preference for darkness, consistent with decreased anxiety, but to increase risk assessment, consistent with increased anxiety. Animals were also subjected to the withdrawal protocol and injected with pilocarpine in a sub-convulsive dose to assess susceptibility to epileptic seizure-like behavior. The protocol was sufficient to increase susceptibility to epileptic seizure-like behavior in animals exposed to ethanol. Finally, withdrawal also decreased catalase activity in the brain, but not in the head kidney, suggesting mechanisms associated with the behavioral effects of ethanol withdrawal.

pharmacology and toxicology↗