The zebrafish has been considered an ideal model for studies of complex behaviors since its behavioral repertoire is well described. Therefore, this study evaluated the perceived
pain through behavioral changes in zebrafish larvae. Here we investigated the
Acetic Acid (AA) effects on zebrafish larvae exposed in a short-time period (60 s) and the preventive effect from routinely used compounds,
Dimethyl Sulfoxide (
DMSO),
Ethanol (EtOH),
Ibuprofen (
IBP), and
Paracetamol (PAR). In addition, the effect of P2×7 antagonist,
A740003, and pannexin channel 1 (PANX-1) inhibitor
Probenecid (PROB) on AA-induced behavioral changes were evaluated. AA impaired the distance covered, acceleration, movement, and latency to the first entry in the center from 5 dpf exposed larvae. At 0.050% AA, PAR prevented alterations from the distance covered, acceleration, and movement. Surprisingly, 0.3%
DMSO prevented behavioral changes induced by AA. However, the effects from 0.2%
DMSO were not prominent. We used 0.2%
DMSO as a PROB diluent. PROB prevented the changes in distance and movement observed at both AA concentrations (0.0025% and 0.05%) tested. Since EtOH had no
analgesic properties, we used it as an
A740003 vehicle to observe the
analgesic effects of this compound. As noted,
A740003 did not prevent the behavioral changes in the AA-induced
pain model. In contrast, 0.2%
DMSO and PROB prevented AA-induced behavioral changes. These data enforce that zebrafish could be used in translational studies since this species has behavioral responses related to
pain in the early stages of development and responses to
analgesics similar to observed in mammals.