5-Hydroxymethylfurfural mediated developmental toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Xunlin Chen; Qinghui Tu; Wenzheng Zhao; Xiaorong Lin; Zhongzheng Chen; Bin Li; Yuanyuan Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.fct.2024.114738

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural mediated developmental toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Food Chem Toxicol. 2024 May 14:189:114738. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114738. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xunlin Chen¹, Qinghui Tu¹, Wenzheng Zhao¹, Xiaorong Lin¹, Zhongzheng Chen¹, Bin Li¹, Yuanyuan Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
² Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food Quality and Safety, College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. Electronic address: zhangyy@scau.edu.cn.

PMID: 38754806
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114738

Abstract

5-hydroxymethylfurfural is a common byproduct in food. However, its effect on growth and development remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the developmental toxicity of 5-HMF to Drosophila larvae. The growth and development of Drosophila melanogaster fed with 5-50 mM 5-HMF was monitored, and its possible mechanism was explored. It was found that 5-HMF prolonged the developmental cycle of Drosophila melanogaster (25 mM and 50 mM). After 5-HMF intake, the level of reactive oxygen species in the third instar larvae increased by 1.23-1.40 fold, which increased the level of malondialdehyde and caused changes in antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 antioxidant signaling pathway and the expression of heat shock protein genes were affected. At the same time, 5-HMF disrupted the glucose and lipid metabolism in the third instar larvae, influencing the expression level of key genes in the insulin signal pathway. Furthermore, 5-HMF led to intestinal oxidative stress, and up-regulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, consequently impacting intestinal health. In short, 5-HMF causes oxidative stress, disturbs glucose and lipid metabolism and induces intestinal damage, damaging related signaling pathways, and ultimately affecting the development of Drosophila melanogaster.

Keywords: 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural; Developmental toxicity; Drosophila melanogaster; Intestine; Metabolism; Oxidative stress.