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Aim: To investigate the embryotoxicity of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the main active metabolite of artemisinin, in zebrafish, and explore the corresponding mechanisms. Methods: The embryos of wild type and TG (flkl:GFP) transgenic zebrafish were exposed to DHA. Developmental phenotypes of the embryos were observed. Development of blood vessels was directly observed in living embryos of TG (flkl:GFP) transgenic zebrafish under fluorescence microscope. The expression of angiogenesis marker genes vegfa, ilk1, and fit1 in the embryos was detected using real-time PCR and RNA in situ hybridization assays. Results: Exposure to DHA (1-10 mg/L) dose-dependently caused abnormal zebrafish embryonic phenotypes in the early developmental stage. Furthermore, exposure to DHA (10 mg/L) resulted in more pronounced embryonic angiogenesis in TG (flkl:GFP) zebrafish line. Exposure to DHA (10 mg/L) significantly increased the mRNA expression of veEfa, flkl, and fit1 in the embryos. Knockdown of the ilk1 protein partially blocked the effects of DHA on embryogenesis. Conclusion: DHA causes abnormal embryonic phenotypes and promotes angiogenesis in zebrafish early embryonic development, demonstrating the potential embryotoxicity of DHA.