High glucose-induced ROS-accumulation in embryo-larval stages of zebrafish leads to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis

In recent decades, diabetes mellitus has become a major chronic disease threatening human health worldwide, and the age of patients tends to be younger; however, the pathogenesis remains unclear, resulting in many difficulties in its treatment. As an ideal model animal, zebrafish can simulate the processes of human diabetes well. In this study, we successfully established a model of diabetic zebrafish larvae in a previous work. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis was completed, and the results suggested that 10.59% of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the apoptosis pathway need to be considered. Then, glucose-induced developmental toxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, antioxidant system function, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction were measured in zebrafish larvae. We hope that this study will provide valuable reference information for type 2 juvenile diabetes treatment. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This study successfully established a zebrafish larvae model of diabetes and identified differentially expressed genes related to the apoptosis pathway through transcriptome analysis. Further experiments measured glucose-induced developmental toxicity, reactive oxygen species accumulation, antioxidant system function, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in zebrafish larvae. These findings provide valuable reference information for the treatment of type 2 juvenile diabetes.