Colchicine induces developmental defects and renal toxicity in zebrafish by upregulating the oxidative stress

Colchicine is a type of alkaloid commonly used clinically for treating diseases such as gouty arthritis. Studies suggest that colchicine is toxic to the kidneys. However, the specific mechanisms are unclear. Herein, we used zebrafish to validate the renal toxicity of colchicine and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Zebrafish larvae at 3 days post-fertilization were exposed to various concentrations (15, 20, and 25 mg/L) of colchicine solution for 72 h. Results showed that colchicine caused death, slowed heart rate, slowed growth, increased interpupillary distance, caused periorbital and renal capsule edema, caused swelling of glomerular podocytes, and disrupted the development of distal convoluted tubules of renal tubules. ROS staining revealed that colchicine increased oxidative in the glomerular. Mature zebrafish adults were exposed to colchicine solution concentrations of 0.15 and 1.5 mg/L for 4 weeks. Hematoxylin eosin staining of the kidney showed that the glomerular podocyte structure was disordered, renal tubular nuclei were irregularly arranged, and cell density was reduced. A significant increase in oxidative stress kinase activity was observed. Additionally, there was abnormal expression of genes related to kidney development and function. Abnormalities in kidney injury biomarkers were also observed in zebrafish, including urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CR), and β- N -acetylglucosaminidase (NAG). These findings suggest that colchicine induced developmental defects and caused renal toxicity in zebrafish. Interestingly, treatment with astaxanthin (ASTA) partially reversed the structural and physiological damage in the kidney. Conclusively, colchicine induces developmental and renal toxicity in zebrafish by upregulating oxidative stress.