In Vitro Methods In Toxicology

In Vitro Toxicology Systems brings together important issues and considerations needed in order to develop a workable, reliable, integrated testing strategy for the replacement of animals in toxicity testing regimes. This thorough volume includes sections on in vitro models for systemic organ toxicity, neurotoxicity, sensory organs, immunotoxicity and reproductive toxicity and addresses how stem cells may be used going forward. The book also tackles difficult areas of toxicology such as carcinogenicity and nanotoxicology, with additional chapters dedicated to kinetics, metabolism, and in vitro in vivo extrapolation. The book also addresses biological processes such as stress response pathways and mechanistic biomarkers and how these can be uncovered and measured using high content approaches. Reliable and authoritative, In Vitro Toxicology Systems will be of benefit not only to students, scientists and regulators working in the field of chemical safety assessment but also to a wider scientific audience.

Cell Culture Methods for in vitro Toxicology introduces the reader to a range of techniques involved in the use of in vitro cell culture in toxicological studies. It deals with major cell types studied in the field of toxicology and will be useful for anyone wishing to start work with animal cell cultures or to refresh their knowledge relating to in vitro cell models. Fundamental chapters deal with the general biology of cytotoxicity and cell immortalisation these are key issues for in vitro systems addressing the `3Rs' principle. Up-to-date overviews deal with the use of cells from liver, brain and intestine. In addition, biochemical analysis of cell responses, biotransformation pathways in cells and recombinant approaches to the early detection of cell stress are also covered in detail. Prominent features of in vitro technologies also include regulation, biosafety and standardisation. Dedicated chapters deal with these issues in a practical way in order to lead the reader to the right source of information. This book provides an up-to-date, informative and practical review of cell culture methods for in vitro toxicology. It will be of equal benefit to students and experienced toxicologists with little experience of in vitro cell culture.

In Vitro Methods in Pharmaceutical Research provides a comprehensive guide to laboratory techniques for evaluating in vitro organ toxicity using cellular models. Step-by-step practical tips on how to perform and interpret assays for drug metabolism and toxicity assessment are provided, along with a comparison of different techniques available. It is a welcome addition to the literature at a time when interest is growing in cellular in vitro models for toxicology and pharmacology studies. Meets the continuing demand for information in this field Compares In Vitro techniques with other methods Describes cell-culture methods used to investigate toxicity in cells derived from different organs Includes contributions by leading experts in the field

The volume brings together the once disparate knowledge of cultural techniques and thus provides an important reference work for industrial and academic toxicologists.

First Published in 1994, Introduction to In Vitro Cytotoxicology examines in vitro cytotoxicology, which offers new methodologies to toxicity testing. This important new discipline of modern toxicology is gaining increased acceptance as a viable alternative to traditional testing methods. The text discusses the application of in vitro cytotoxicology to toxicity testing and human risk assessment, and it analyzes the advantages and limitations of the tests performed under scientific and regulatory conditions. The book also reviews the optimum utilization of certain tests for specific groups of chemicals relevant to validation programs currently in progress. This book is a useful reference tool for students, researchers, and practitioners interested in academic, industrial, and regulatory toxicology; environmental health; cell biology; pharmacology; dentistry; or human and veterinary medicine.

This book provides information on best practices and new thinking regarding the validation of alternative methods for toxicity testing. It covers the validation of experimental and computational methods and integrated approaches to testing and assessment. Validation strategies are discussed for methods employing the latest technologies such as tissue-on-a-chip systems, stem cells and transcriptomics, and for methods derived from pathway-based concepts in toxicology. Validation of Alternative Methods for Toxicity Testing is divided into two sections, in the first, practical insights are given on the state-of-the-art and on approaches that have resulted in successfully validated and accepted alternative methods. The second section focuses on the evolution of validation principles and practice that are necessary to ensure fit-for-purpose validation that has the greatest impact on international regulatory acceptance of alternative methods. In this context validation needs to keep pace with the considerable scientific advancements being made in toxicology, the availability of sophisticated tools and techniques that can be applied in a variety of ways, and the increasing societal and regulatory demands for better safety assessment. This book will be a useful resource for scientists in the field of toxicology, both from industry and academia, developing new test methods, strategies or techniques, as well as Governmental and regulatory authorities interested in understanding the principles and practicalities of validation of alternative methods for toxicity testing.

Advances in molecular biology and toxicology are paving the way for major improvements in the evaluation of the hazards posed by the large number of chemicals found at low levels in the environment. The National Research Council was asked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the state of the science and create a far-reaching vision for the future of toxicity testing. The book finds that developing, improving, and validating new laboratory tools based on recent scientific advances could significantly improve our ability to understand the hazards and risks posed by chemicals. This new knowledge would lead to much more informed environmental regulations and dramatically reduce the need for animal testing because the new tests would be based on human cells and cell components. Substantial scientific efforts and resources will be required to leverage these new technologies to realize the vision, but the result will be a more efficient, informative and less costly system for assessing the hazards posed by industrial chemicals and pesticides.

Toxicology has made tremendous strides in the sophistication of the models used to identify and understand the mechanisms of agents that can harm or kill humand and other higher organisms. Non-animals or in vitro models started to gain significant use in the 1960s. As a result of the increased concern over animal welfare, economic factors, and the need for greater sensitivity and understanding of mechanisms, interest in in vitro^n models has risen. This volume demonstrates that there now exists a broad range of in vitro models for use in either identifying or understanding most forms of toxicity. The availability of in vitro models spans both the full range of endpoints (irritation, sensitization, lethality, mutagenicity, and devlopmental toxicity) and the full spectrum of target organ systems (skin, eye, heart, liver, kidney, nervous system, etc.). Chapters are devoted to each of these speciality areas from a perspective of presenting the principal models and their uses and limitations. Chapters that overview the principles involved in the general selection and use of models, and that address the issues of safety concerns and regulatory acceptance of these methods are also included.

First Published in 1990, this text brings together the work of several investigators who used in vitro techniques to probe the nature of embryonic cell response to a diverse group of chemical agents. It focuses on the approaches, limitations, usefulness and applicability of defining mechanisms underlying altered development. This work includes discussions on pharmacodynamic principles and placental transfer mechanisms. It also examines the potential for in vitro systems to serve as an adjunct to the risk assessment process. Ideal for both the layman and the expert in this area, this volume provides a general understanding of the types of approaches that can be used and specific approaches in investigating altered development.

Animal experimentation has been one of the most controversial areas of animal use, mainly due to the intentional harms inflicted upon animals for the sake of hoped-for benefits in humans. Despite this rationale for continued animal experimentation, shortcomings of this practice have become increasingly more apparent and well-documented. However, these limitations are not yet widely known or appreciated, and there is a danger that they may simply be ignored. The 51 experts who have contributed to Animal Experimentation: Working Towards a Paradigm Change critically review current animal use in science, present new and innovative non-animal approaches to address urgent scientific questions, and offer a roadmap towards an animal-free world of science.