What Are the Key Considerations in Chronic Toxicity Testing?
Several factors must be considered when designing and interpreting chronic toxicity studies:
1. Species Selection: The choice of animal species can significantly impact the study's relevance to humans. Rodents are commonly used, but other species may be selected based on the substance's expected toxicity profile.
2. Dose Selection: Selecting appropriate doses is critical to identifying both the threshold of toxicity and potential [carcinogenic](#) effects. Doses typically range from sub-therapeutic to levels that cause observable toxic effects.
3. Endpoints and Biomarkers: Researchers must decide on relevant endpoints to measure. Common endpoints include mortality, clinical signs, organ weights, and histopathological changes. Biomarkers, such as changes in enzyme levels or metabolic profiles, can also provide insights into the substance's mechanism of action.
