Work

Assessment of azithromycin-induced toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans: Effects on morphology, behavior, and lipid metabolism

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Antibiotics are indispensable in modern healthcare, playing a critical role in mitigating bacterial infections. Azithromycin is used to fight upper respiratory tract infections, however has potential toxic effects that remain inadequately understood. In our present study, azithromycin exposure to Caenorhabditis elegans led to significant physiological and behavioral change, with pronounced effects observed at the studied concentration. The study employs an N2 wild-type strain to examine key physiological and behavioral parameters within the worm. C.elegans were exposed to two concentrations of azithromycin (0.0038 and 0.00038 mg/ml) from the embryonic stage to the L4 stage for 48 hours. The study assessed key endpoints including body length, thrashing behavior, brood size, embryonic viability, lipid accumulation via Nile red staining, pharyngeal pumping rate, and response to 1-Nonanol (which assesses neurotransmitter function). Results showed that at 0.0038 mg/ml, azithromycin significantly reduced body length, increased progeny production, altered lipid deposition, delayed response to 1-Nonanol, and decreased feeding rates. Even at the lowest concentration (0.00038 mg/ml), changes in body length and lipid accumulation were observed. These findings suggest that the toxicity of azithromycin in C.elegans is dose-dependent and varies with exposure duration and developmental stage. Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these toxic effects, particularly at environmentally relevant concentrations of azithromycin. • At low doses, azithromycin (AZM), has potential toxicity. • Azithromycin-induced behavioral toxicity. • The body morphology of C. elegans was altered by Azithromycin. • The feeding and thrashing activities of C. elegan s were inhibited at the highest concentrations of Azithromycin. • Azithromycin stimulated the lipid content deposition, brood size, and embryonic viability of C. elegans at the highest concentration.

Source: Toxicology Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2024.101832

Authors: Elisa Kalugendo, Aamir Nazir, Rakhi Agarwal

Institutions: National Forensic Sciences University, Central Drug Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,230