Rotenone exposure in a zebrafish Parkinson’s model shows disrupted NURR1-TOP2B activity and gut-brain system problems

Exposure to 5 µg/L rotenone for 28 days induces significant impairments and pathological changes in zebrafish.

• Rotenone exposure resulted in concentration-dependent reductions in locomotion, anxiety-like behavior, and cognition, with more severe effects at 5 µg/L.
• Histopathological damage was observed in both the brain and intestine at both 2.5 and 5 µg/L concentrations.
• Elevated reactive oxygen species levels indicated oxidative stress in the brain at both concentrations and in the intestine only at 5 µg/L.
• Increased lipid peroxidation was noted specifically at the higher rotenone concentration.
• Significant disruptions were found in antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
• Transcriptional analysis revealed changes in gene expression related to neurodegeneration and inflammation in both tissues.

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