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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
Published on: May 10, 2016
Defining hormesis: evaluation of a complex concentration response phenomenon.
Eric L Kendig1, Hoa H Le, Scott M Belcher
1Department of Pharmacology and Cell Biophysics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0575, USA.
International Journal of Toxicology
|May 8, 2010
Summary
Hormesis, a dose-response theory, shows reversed effects at low vs. high doses. Further research and a clear definition are needed to understand this biological phenomenon.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Biology
Background:
- Hormesis describes a dose-response pattern with reversed effects at low and high doses.
- Historically, hormesis has faced limited acceptance due to conceptual challenges and misuse.
Observation:
- Both pharmacological and toxicological studies offer evidence supporting hormetic dose responses.
- Retrospective analysis of existing studies on hormesis can be challenging.
Findings:
- Limited scientific data and a lack of standardized terminology hinder the understanding of hormesis.
- Hormesis has been inappropriately applied to unrelated dose-response relationships.
Implications:
- Future research should focus on unbiased examination of low-dose effects to advance hormesis understanding.
- A precise definition is crucial for validating and expanding the scientific evidence base for hormesis.
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