Analyzing the Impact of Zinc Chloride and Vitamin C on Olfactory Behaviour in Drosophila melanogaster Larvae
Author : Shalini KS, Yashaswini P, Shree Lakshmi K, Mehek Naaz and Shakunthala V
Abstract :
Zinc Chloride toxicity has been a matter of concern and a major risk factor for public health in many parts of the world. Zinc is a toxic heavy metal that is widely dispersed in the environment due to various human activities such as industrial emissions and the use of zinc-based products. Inorganic zinc is highly neurotoxic due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Moreover, its exposure poses a significant threat to human health, including alterations in the central nervous system (CNS), and deficits in memory, learning, and attention. In this study, we have explored the possibility and usefulness of the vinegar fly (commonly called fruit fly) Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to zinc chloride employing various behavioural assays. The vinegar fly offers the adaptability and toolkit needed for researchers to experimentally examine and study the behaviour and gene expression in a defined population. We have assessed the toxic effects of inorganic zinc chloride on third-instar larvae of vinegar flies for their cognitive and olfactory responses in a time and dose-dependent manner. We evaluated the olfactory response index and learning abilities of zinc-treated larvae. Our results show that chronic exposure to zinc chloride negatively affects the olfaction in the larvae of vinegar flies. Most behavioural parameters investigated were significantly rescued in the zinc-poisoned fruit flies (p < 0.05) when co-treated with antioxidant Vitamin C. The results suggest that Vitamin C has a protective effect against zinc chloride in Drosophila melanogaster and could potentially be used as a therapeutic agent for poisoning in humans.
Keywords :
Drosophila melanogaster, zinc chloride, neurotoxicity, olfaction assay, cognitive behaviour, vitamin C, antioxidant, heavy metal toxicity, larval response, learning ability, behavioural assay, environmental toxicology.
