Lenvatinib is a multi-
kinase inhibitor for widely treating
thyroid cancer. However, little studies have been done about it or its toxicity on embryonic development of vertebrate. In this study, we used zebrafish to assess the effect of
lenvatinib on early embryonic development. Exposure of zebrafish embryos to 58, 117, 176 nM
lenvatinib induced abnormal embryonic development, such as decreased heart rate, pericardial
edema, delayed yolk absorption, and bladder
atrophy.
Lenvatinib exposure reduced liver area and down-regulated liver developmental related genes. The proliferation of hepatocytes and the expression of apoptosis-related genes were significantly reduced.by
Lenvatinib. Furthermore, the imbalance of liver metabolism and abnormal liver tissue structure were observed in adult zebrafish after
Lenvatinib exposure. Oxidative stress was up-regulated by
lenvatinib and
astaxanthin partially rescued hepatic developmental defects via downregulating oxidative stress. After
lenvatinib exposure, Wnt signaling was down-regulated, and activation of Wnt signaling partially rescued hepatic developmental defects. Therefore, these results suggested that
lenvatinib might induce zebrafish hepatotoxicity by down-regulating Wnt signaling related genes and inducing oxidative stress. This study provides a reference for the potential hepatotoxicity of
lenvatinib during embryonic development and raises health concern about the potential harm of exposure to
lenvatinib for foetuses.