Data from: Multi-behavioral endpoint testing of an 87-chemical compound library in freshwater planarians

There is an increased recognition in the field of toxicology of the value
of medium-to-high-throughput screening methods using in vitro and
alternative animal models. We have previously introduced the asexual
freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica as a new alternative animal model
and proposed that it is particularly well-suited for the study of
developmental neurotoxicology. In this paper, we discuss how we have
expanded and automated our screening methodology to allow for fast
screening of multiple behavioral endpoints, developmental toxicity, and
mortality. Using an 87-compound library provided by the National
Toxicology Program (NTP), consisting of known and suspected
neurotoxicants, including drugs, flame retardants, industrial chemicals,
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides and presumptive
negative controls, we further evaluate the benefits and limitations of the
system for medium-throughput screening, focusing on the technical aspects
of the system. We show that, in the context of this library, planarians
are the most sensitive to pesticides with 16/16 compounds causing toxicity
and the least sensitive to PAHs, with only 5/17 causing toxicity.
Furthermore, while none of the presumptive negative controls were
bioactive in adult planarians, 2/5, acetaminophen and acetylsalicylic
acid, were bioactive in regenerating worms. Notably, these compounds were
previously reported as developmentally toxic in mammalian studies. Through
parallel screening of adults and developing animals, planarians are thus a
useful model to detect such developmental-specific effects, which was
observed for 13 chemicals in this library. We use the data and experience
gained from this screen to propose guidelines for best practices when
using planarians for toxicology screens.