Longitudinal evaluation of hepatic and intestinal alterations and il8 expression in gabapentin-treated alcohol-exposed zebrafish: integration of experimental and bioinformatics analyses

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and gut-liver axis dysfunction. Gabapentin, an antiepileptic agent commonly used in the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, has demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the effects of gabapentin on alcohol-induced hepatic and intestinal injury using a zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) model. Adult zebrafish were exposed to 0.5% ethanol for 28 days, followed by gabapentin treatment for 2 or 4 weeks. Liver and intestinal tissues were collected for histopathological evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Bioinformatic analysis of a publicly available transcriptomic dataset was performed to identify differentially expressed genes associated with alcoholic hepatitis, while interleukin-8 ( il8 ) expression was evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR. Gabapentin treatment was associated with reduced hepatic steatosis and goblet cell hyperplasia during the post-ethanol recovery phase, accompanied by lower il8 expression. These findings provide insight into gut-liver axis dysfunction in ALD and support further investigation of gabapentin as a potential adjunctive therapy for alcohol-associated hepatic and intestinal injury.