Naslov
Alternative models for toxicity testing of xenobiotics

Autori
Kniewald, Jasna ; Kmetič, Ivana ; Gaurina-Srček, Višnja ; Kniewald, Zlatko

Izvornik
Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju (0004-1254) 56 (2005), 2; 195-204

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
in vitro methods; alternative models; toxicity testing

Sažetak
Alternatives to whole-animal testing include endpoint assays, cell and tissue cultures, the use of tissue slices, toxicokinetic modeling, and structure-activity relationships and databases. The use of in vitro systems (subcellular fractions, cell lines, primary cell cultures, tissue slices, organ cultures, etc.) as research tools in toxicology is widespread. In the last few years apoptosis phenomena should be followed by a very precise intracellular changes where through programmed cell death a cell can be removed from a population. In vitro systems are ideally suited to investigations of the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms of chemical-induced toxicity, which cannot readily be studied in vivo, for known target organ and target species toxicity studies, and for answering specific questions about toxic effects. The main justification for developing in vitro toxicity tests is that they will make toxicology a more scientifically based practice. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the development and incorporation of stepwise testing strategies, combining experimental data from a range of alternative methods (physicochemical techniques, quantitative structure-activity relationships - QSAR, metabolic and kinetic modelling, and in vitro tests), provides the most effective way forward for trying to predict toxicity, while at the same time reducing the number of laboratory animals used for testing purposes.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biotehnologija

POVEZANOST RADA