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The minipig in dermatotoxicology: methods and challenges.
Jörg Andreas Mahl1, Beate E Vogel, Mireille Court
1Novartis Pharma AG, MUT-2881.128, Auhafenstr., CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland. joerg_andreas.mahl@novartis.com
Summary
The minipig is a valuable model for dermal safety studies due to skin similarities with humans. This review details methods, challenges, and crucial contamination prevention for evaluating topical xenobiotics in minipigs.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Porcine skin exhibits significant morphological and physiological similarities to human skin, making the minipig a preferred animal model for dermal safety assessments.
- Evaluating the safety of dermally applied xenobiotics is crucial in product development and regulatory submissions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of dermal minipig study methodologies.
- To discuss the challenges and best practices associated with using minipigs in dermal toxicology studies.
Main Methods:
- Description of various dermal administration techniques for xenobiotics.
- Inclusion of non-invasive and invasive investigation methods during the in-life phase.
- Presentation of routine and special post-mortem examination procedures.
Main Results:
- The minipig model allows for detailed assessment of topical treatment effects on skin.
- Key challenges include animal welfare, formulation, application methods, and cross-contamination prevention.
- Monitoring local and systemic exposure requires extensive measures to avoid sample contamination.
Conclusions:
- Dermal minipig studies are essential for xenobiotic safety evaluation, leveraging human-skin-like properties.
- Careful consideration of methodology, animal husbandry, and contamination control is vital for reliable results.
- Minipigs offer a robust model, but meticulous sample handling is paramount for accurate exposure assessment.