The uses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an in vivo model for toxicological studies: A review based on bibliometrics

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2024-03, Vol.272, p.116023-116023, Article 116023
• Main Authors: Zhao, Weichao, Chen, Yuna, Hu, Nan, Long, Dingxin, Cao, Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bibliometric analysis; Environmental pollutants; Toxicity tests; Toxicological mechanism; Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116023

An in vivo model is necessary for toxicology. This review analyzed the uses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) in toxicology based on bibliometrics. Totally 56,816 publications about zebrafish from 2002 to 2023 were found in Web of Science Core Collection, with Toxicology as the top 6 among all disciplines. Accordingly, the bibliometric map reveals that “toxicity” has become a hot keyword. It further reveals that the most common exposure types include acute, chronic, and combined exposure. The toxicological effects include behavioral, intestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive and transgenerational toxicity. The mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The toxicants commonly evaluated by using zebrafish model include nanomaterials, arsenic, metals, bisphenol, and dioxin. Overall, zebrafish provide a unique and well-accepted model to investigate the toxicological effects and mechanisms. We also discussed the possible ways to address some of the limitations of zebrafish model, such as the combination of human organoids to avoid species differences. •Bibliometric map suggests that zebrafish have been used as a model in toxicology.•The most common exposure types include acute, chronic and combined exposure.•The toxicological effects and mechanisms could be evaluated by using zebrafish.•The toxicity of nanomaterials, arsenic, metals, bisphenol and dioxin has been evaluated.•The possible ways to address some of the limitations of zebrafish were discussed.