scholarly journals Current Strategies in Assessment of Nanotoxicity: Alternatives to In Vivo Animal Testing

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4216
Author(s):  
Hung-Jin Huang ◽  
Yu-Hsuan Lee ◽  
Yung-Ho Hsu ◽  
Chia-Te Liao ◽  
Yuh-Feng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Qsar Modeling ◽  
Experimental Animals

Millions of experimental animals are widely used in the assessment of toxicological or biological effects of manufactured nanomaterials in medical technology. However, the animal consciousness has increased and become an issue for debate in recent years. Currently, the principle of the 3Rs (i.e., reduction, refinement, and replacement) is applied to ensure the more ethical application of humane animal research. In order to avoid unethical procedures, the strategy of alternatives to animal testing has been employed to overcome the drawbacks of animal experiments. This article provides current alternative strategies to replace or reduce the use of experimental animals in the assessment of nanotoxicity. The currently available alternative methods include in vitro and in silico approaches, which can be used as cost-effective approaches to meet the principle of the 3Rs. These methods are regarded as non-animal approaches and have been implemented in many countries for scientific purposes. The in vitro experiments related to nanotoxicity assays involve cell culture testing and tissue engineering, while the in silico methods refer to prediction using molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling. The commonly used novel cell-based methods and computational approaches have the potential to help minimize the use of experimental animals for nanomaterial toxicity assessments.

Studies of Metabolism Mediated Mutagenicity In Vitro

1990 ◽  
Vol 18 (1_part_1) ◽  
pp. 243-250
Author(s):  
Dag Jenssen ◽  
Lennart Romert
Keyword(s):  
Cell Lines ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Culture Technique ◽  
Organ Perfusion ◽  
Isolated Cells ◽  
Toxicological Effect ◽  
In Vitro Methods

To understand the cause of the biological effects of xenobiotic metabolism in mammals, investigators have traditionally performed animal experiments by comparing the results of biochemical methods, such as measurement of enzyme activity analysis of the metabolites produced, with the observed toxicological effect. This article deals with in vitro methods for genotoxicity combined with drug metabolising preparations at the organelle, cell or organ levels, as exemplified by microsome preparations, isolated cells/cell lines and organ perfusion systems, respectively. The advantage of some of these methods for studying metabolism-mediated mutagenicity is that the measured endpoint reflects not only the bioactivating phase I reactions, but also the detoxifying phase II reactions, and the transfer of the non-conjugated reactive metabolites to other cells and their ability to cause mutations in these cells. In vivo, all these events are important factors in the initiation of cancer. A mechanistic advantage of the methods for metabolism-mediated mutagenicity in vitro is that the relevance of the different steps in metabolism for the mutational events can seldom be investigated in an in vivo assay. Furthermore, human studies can easily be performed using the co-culture technique with isolated human cells or cell lines.

scholarly journals ADME/Tox Properties and Biochemical Interactions of Silybin Congeners: In silico Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1701200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Diukendjieva ◽  
Merilin Al Sharif ◽  
Petko Alov ◽  
Tania Pencheva ◽  
Ivanka Tsakovska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Estrogen Receptor Alpha ◽  
Estrogenic Activity ◽  
Qsar Model ◽  
Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Active Constituent ◽  
Main Component

Silymarin, the active constituent of Silybum marianum (milk thistle), and its main component, silybin, are products with well-known hepatoprotective, cytoprotective, antioxidant, and chemopreventative properties. Despite substantial in vitro and in vivo investigations of these flavonolignans, their mechanisms of action and potential toxic effects are not fully defined. In this study we explored important ADME/Tox properties and biochemical interactions of selected flavonolignans using in silico methods. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model based on data from a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) was used to estimate bioavailability after oral administration. Toxic effects and metabolic transformations were predicted using the knowledge-based expert systems Derek Nexus and Meteor Nexus (Lhasa Ltd). Potential estrogenic activity of the studied silybin congeners was outlined. To address further the stereospecificity of this effect the stereoisomeric forms of silybin were docked into the ligand-binding domain of the human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) (MOE software, CCG). According to our results both stereoisomers can be accommodated into the ERα active site, but different poses and interactions were observed for silybin A and silybin B.

scholarly journals Analysis of non-animal methods and models for research in cardiovascular disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Gasparotti ◽  
Margherita Cioffi ◽  
Vincenzo Positano ◽  
Emanuele Vignali ◽  
Benigno Marco Fanni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
In Silico Models ◽  
State Of Art

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are disorders of the heart and blood vessels and represent 31% of all global deaths. In the contest of CVD, the use of animal experiments has been a contentious subject for many years. In recent years, in vitro and in silico models and methods have been proposed according to the 3Rs statement. However, an exhaustive report regarding the state of art in terms of in vitro and in silico experiments has not been reported yet. This work is focused on providing a collection of non-animal models and methods in use for basic and applied CVD research. The standardized descriptions of such studies will ultimately feed into EURL ECVAM database on alternative methods. Two are the research main phases. Firstly, the exclusion/ inclusion criteria and the list of relevant information resources of the research have been defined. The second phase regards the search, selection and detailed description of the literature papers by analysing records on Scopus and Pubmed databases.

scholarly journals A Next-Generation Risk Assessment Case Study for Coumarin in Cosmetic Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 176 (1) ◽  
pp. 236-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria T Baltazar ◽  
Sophie Cable ◽  
Paul L Carmichael ◽  
Richard Cubberley ◽  
Tom Cull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
In Vitro Assays ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Margin Of Safety

Abstract Next-Generation Risk Assessment is defined as an exposure-led, hypothesis-driven risk assessment approach that integrates new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assure safety without the use of animal testing. These principles were applied to a hypothetical safety assessment of 0.1% coumarin in face cream and body lotion. For the purpose of evaluating the use of NAMs, existing animal and human data on coumarin were excluded. Internal concentrations (plasma Cmax) were estimated using a physiologically based kinetic model for dermally applied coumarin. Systemic toxicity was assessed using a battery of in vitro NAMs to identify points of departure (PoDs) for a variety of biological effects such as receptor-mediated and immunomodulatory effects (Eurofins SafetyScreen44 and BioMap Diversity 8 Panel, respectively), and general bioactivity (ToxCast data, an in vitro cell stress panel and high-throughput transcriptomics). In addition, in silico alerts for genotoxicity were followed up with the ToxTracker tool. The PoDs from the in vitro assays were plotted against the calculated in vivo exposure to calculate a margin of safety with associated uncertainty. The predicted Cmax values for face cream and body lotion were lower than all PoDs with margin of safety higher than 100. Furthermore, coumarin was not genotoxic, did not bind to any of the 44 receptors tested and did not show any immunomodulatory effects at consumer-relevant exposures. In conclusion, this case study demonstrated the value of integrating exposure science, computational modeling and in vitro bioactivity data, to reach a safety decision without animal data.

scholarly journals A fast and reliable method for monitoring genomic instability in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merle Marie Nicolai ◽  
Barbara Witt ◽  
Andrea Hartwig ◽  
Tanja Schwerdtle ◽  
Julia Bornhorst
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Testing Strategies ◽  
Genotoxic Agents ◽  
Genotoxicity Testing

AbstractThe identification of genotoxic agents and their potential for genotoxic alterations in an organism is crucial for risk assessment and approval procedures of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Classically, testing strategies for DNA or chromosomal damage focus on in vitro and in vivo (mainly rodent) investigations. In cell culture systems, the alkaline unwinding (AU) assay is one of the well-established methods for detecting the percentage of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). By establishing a reliable lysis protocol, and further optimization of the AU assay for the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), we provided a new tool for genotoxicity testing in the niche between in vitro and rodent experiments. The method is intended to complement existing testing strategies by a multicellular organism, which allows higher predictability of genotoxic potential compared to in vitro cell line or bacterial investigations, before utilizing in vivo (rodent) investigations. This also allows working within the 3R concept (reduction, refinement, and replacement of animal experiments), by reducing and possibly replacing animal testing. Validation with known genotoxic agents (bleomycin (BLM) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)) proved the method to be meaningful, reproducible, and feasible for high-throughput genotoxicity testing, and especially preliminary screening.

scholarly journals Replacement Strategies for Animal Studies in Inhalation Testing

Sci ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Eleonore Fröhlich
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Particle Deposition ◽  
Drug Testing ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
The Future

Animal testing is mandatory in drug testing and is the gold standard for toxicity and efficacy evaluations. This situation is expected to change in the future as the 3Rs principle, which stands for the replacement, reduction, and refinement of the use of animals in science, is reinforced by many countries. On the other hand, technologies for alternatives to animal testing have increased. The need to develop and use alternatives depends on the complexity of the research topic and also on the extent to which the currently used animal models can mimic human physiology and/or exposure. The lung morphology and physiology of commonly used animal species differs from that of human lungs, and the realistic inhalation exposure of animals is challenging. In vitro and in silico methods can assess important aspects of the in vivo effects, namely particle deposition, dissolution, action at, and permeation through, the respiratory barrier, and pharmacokinetics. This review discusses the limitations of animal models and exposure systems and proposes in vitro and in silico techniques that could, when used together, reduce or even replace animal testing in inhalation testing in the future.

scholarly journals Versatile electrical stimulator for providing cardiac-like electrical impulses in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Gabetti ◽  
Giovanni Putame ◽  
Federica Montrone ◽  
Giuseppe Isu ◽  
Anna Marsano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Culture Conditions ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Electrical Stimulator ◽  
Electrical Impulses ◽  
Reliable Methods

In the perspective of reliable methods alternative to in vivo animal testing for cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) research, the versatile electrical stimulator ELETTRA has been developed. ELETTRA delivers controlled and stable cardiac-like electrical impulses, and it can be coupled to already existing bioreactors for providing in vitro combined biomimetic culture conditions. Designed to be cost-effective and easy to use, this device could contribute to the reduction and replacement of in vivo animal experiments in CTE.

scholarly journals In silico prospection of antineoplastic molecules from the Artemisia annua species

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Sacienti Lavezo ◽  
Juracy Cirino de Souza Neto ◽  
Túlio Nunes Pinto ◽  
Leonardo Luiz Borges
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Artemisia Annua ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
Molecular Target ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Antineoplastic Activity

Lung cancer kills the most men and the second that kills the most women (behind only breast cancer). The in silico study makes it possible to search for new drugs at low cost, with a greater possibility of rapid manufacturing and a lower future cost for their manufacture. The objective of this study was to analyze an antineoplastic activity of the compounds of Artemisia annua to obtain an active substance that can reach the molecular target of the cancer cells. Compounds with antineoplastic effects were selected using Scielo, PubMed, and ScienceDirect platforms. Afterward, the first screening of compound compounds was performed with a high ability to predict biological and pharmacological activity through the PASS Prediction, Pubchem, and Swiss ADME platforms. After the current screening, we determined the toxicological and molecular target prediction by the Portox II and Swiss Target Prediction platforms. As a final part, molecular docking and redocking were performed for a compound using the PDB server and the GOLD Suite 5.7.0 program. For another, we completed the pharmacophoric mapping using the Binding DB and PharmaGist database. The compounds scopoletin and caffeic acid were the most promising structures in silico models capable of interacting with EGFR (epidermal growth factor) and MM-9 (metalloproteinase type 9), respectively. The results obtained that these structures are promising to be tested in in vitro and in vivo tests about the antineoplastic activity. In addition, in silico analyses help to understand the biological effects of A. annua extracts regarding antineoplastic evidence.

scholarly journals Biologia futura: animal testing in drug development—the past, the present and the future

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-452
Author(s):  
Miklós Sántha
Keyword(s):  
Drug Development ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Animal Experiments ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Veterinary Research ◽  
Safety Studies ◽  
Ancient Times

AbstractAnimal experiments have served to improve our knowledge on diseases and treatment approaches since ancient times. Today, animal experiments are widely used in medical, biomedical and veterinary research, and are essential means of drug development and preclinical testing, including toxicology and safety studies. Recently, great efforts have been made to replace animal experiments with in vitro organoid culture methods and in silico predictions, in agreement with the 3R strategy to “reduce, refine and replace” animals in experimental testing, as outlined by the European Commission. Here we present a mini-review on the development of animal testing, as well as on alternative in vitro and in silico methods, that may at least partly replace animal experiments in the near future.

scholarly journals Current EU regulatory requirements for the assessment of chemicals and cosmetic products: challenges and opportunities for introducing new approach methodologies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Pistollato ◽  
Federica Madia ◽  
Raffaella Corvi ◽  
Sharon Munn ◽  
Elise Grignard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Developmental Toxicity ◽  
Toxicity Testing ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Cosmetic Products ◽  
Animal Testing ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Eu Directive

AbstractThe EU Directive 2010/63/EU   on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and other EU regulations, such as REACH and the Cosmetic Products Regulation advocate for a change in the way toxicity testing is conducted. Whilst the Cosmetic Products Regulation bans animal testing altogether, REACH aims for a progressive shift from in vivo testing towards quantitative in vitro and computational approaches. Several endpoints can already be addressed using non-animal approaches including skin corrosion and irritation, serious eye damage and irritation, skin sensitisation, and mutagenicity and genotoxicity. However, for systemic effects such as acute toxicity, repeated dose toxicity and reproductive and developmental toxicity, evaluation of chemicals under REACH still heavily relies on animal tests. Here we summarise current EU regulatory requirements for the human health assessment of chemicals under REACH and the Cosmetic Products Regulation, considering the more critical endpoints and identifying the main challenges in introducing alternative methods into regulatory testing practice. This supports a recent initiative taken by the International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) to summarise current regulatory requirements specific for the assessment of chemicals and cosmetic products for several human health-related endpoints, with the aim of comparing different jurisdictions and coordinating the promotion and ultimately the implementation of non-animal approaches worldwide. Recent initiatives undertaken at European level to promote the 3Rs and the use of alternative methods in current regulatory practice are also discussed.

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