title: Exposure to 1,2-Propanediol Impacts Early Development of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Induces Hyperactivity.
abstract: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing as an alternative to tobacco burning cigarettes; however, their safety remains to be fully determined. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown, including the effects of maternal e-cigarette use on pre- and postnatal development. Additional research on the safety of e-cigarettes is needed. Especially useful would be information from high- and moderate-throughput economic model systems. This study investigates the effects of 1,2-propanediol, which was identified as the main component of e-cigarette liquid, on early development of zebrafish (an in vivo high-throughput model system that was recently proposed for the study of tobacco cigarette and e-cigarette toxicity). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1.25% or 2.5% 1,2-propanediol from 6 to 72 h post-fertilization (hpf). We show that exposure to 1,2-propanediol did not significantly affect mortality. Hatching success was significantly lower in 2.5% 1,2-propanediol-exposed embryos at 48 hpf, but at 72 hpf no significant differences were noted. Moreover, exposure to 1,2-propanediol reduced growth and increased the incidence of string heart, pericardial edema, and yolk sac edema. Most importantly, developmental exposure to 1.25% 1,2-propanediol caused hyperactive swimming behavior in larvae. This study demonstrates that 1,2-propanediol has adverse impacts on early development in zebrafish.
authors.affiliation: 1 Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Andrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massarsky
authors.affiliation: 1 Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Ayham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdel
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Lilah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Glazer
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: 1 Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Di Giulio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000187:drug effects*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000633:toxicity*; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity; D015017:Yolk Sac / Q000187:drug effects; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013723:Teratogens; D019946:Propylene Glycol
keywords: 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol); behavior; early development; electronic cigarettes; zebrafish