Work

The inhibitory effect of nicotine on Lumbriculus variegatus stereotypical movements and locomotor activity

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Nicotine has been shown to induce profound physiological and behavioural responses in invertebrate model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster . Lumbriculus variegatus is an aquatic oligochaete worm which we have previously demonstrated has application within pharmacological research. Herein, we demonstrate the presence of endogenous acetylcholine and cholinesterase activity within L. variegatus and show the time-dependent effects on the sensitivity of L. variegatus to nicotine. We describe the effects of a broad range of concentrations of nicotine (1 μM – 1 mM) on L. variegatus response to tactile stimulation and locomotor activity following acute (10-min) and chronic (24-h) exposure. Here, we show that 10 min of exposure to ≥0.1 mM nicotine reversibly reduces the ability of tactile stimulation to elicit stereotypical movements of body reversal and helical swimming, and locomotor activity in L. variegatus . We also demonstrate that exposure to ≥0.1 mM nicotine for 24 h was toxic to L. variegatus . Chronic low-dose nicotine ≥25 μM similarly inhibits L. variegatus behaviours with 50 μM causing irreversible inhibition of movement. Thus, L. variegatus presents a model for studying the effects of nicotine and further demonstrates the application of the in vivo model L. variegatus for behavioural pharmacology research. Lumbriculus variegatus exposed to ≥0.1 mM nicotine exhibit effects after ≥4 min with locomotor activity recovered within 10 min when exposed to ≤0.25 mM nicotine. L. variegatus exposed to ≥0.1 mM nicotine exposure for 10 mins exhibited reduced tactile stimulation responses and locomotor activity and exposure to 50 μM nicotine for 24 h decreases locomotor effects. Decreased tactile responses were seen 24 h after removal of nicotine in L. variegatus exposed to 0.5 mM for 10 mins or 50 μM for 24 h, and decreased locomotor activity were observed 24 h after nicotine removal in L. variegatus exposed to 0.25 mM for 10 min or ≥ 25 μM nicotine for 24 h. • L. variegatus display rapid locomotory behavioural changes when exposed to nicotine. • ≥0.1 mM nicotine for 10 min reduces tactile stimulation responses. • ≥0.1 mM nicotine for 10 min reduces locomotor activity. • Irreversible inhibition of movement occurs after 24-h exposure to 50 μM. • 24-h exposure to ≥0.1 mM nicotine causes toxicity in L. variegatus .

Source: Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173953

Authors: Nia A. Davies, Julanta J. Carriere, Aneesha Gopal, Annie Rajan, Melisa J. Wallace, Aidan Seeley

Institution: Swansea University

Language: English

Topic: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,530

Funder: St. David's Medical Foundation