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Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions01:24

Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions

Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity01:25

Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity

Bioactivation is a metabolic process that transforms less reactive substances into highly reactive metabolites, initiating tissue toxicity. This transformation can lead to various toxic effects, including carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. Reactive metabolites are classified into two main types: electrophiles and free radicals.Electrophiles are electron-deficient species and are produced primarily by the enzyme cytochrome P-450 during the metabolism of compounds containing carbon, nitrogen, or...
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...

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Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
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Thermal thresholds for teratogenicity, reproduction, and development.

Marvin C Ziskin1, Joseph Morrissey

  • 1Center for Biomedical Physics, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA. ziskin@temple.edu

International Journal of Hyperthermia : the Official Journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group
|May 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary

The developing human embryo and fetus are vulnerable to heat. Maternal radiofrequency (RF) exposure limits are proposed to protect against adverse thermal effects, with a conservative estimate of 1.5 W/kg whole body average (WBA) suggested for pregnant women.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Developmental Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The human embryo and fetus are particularly susceptible to thermal insults during critical developmental stages.
  • Maternal thermoregulation is crucial as the fetus cannot regulate its own temperature.
  • Animal studies suggest developmental abnormalities occur with maternal core temperature increases of 2-4°C.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the potential risks of maternal thermal stress, including radiofrequency (RF) exposure, on embryonic and fetal development.
  • To propose safety limits for maternal RF exposure based on thermoregulatory effects.

Main Methods:

  • Reviewed animal model data on temperature thresholds for developmental abnormalities.
  • Calculated specific absorption rate (SAR) values corresponding to maternal temperature elevations.
  • Evaluated potential thermal effects of RF exposure on placental and umbilical blood flow.
  • Considered protection afforded by maternal tissue and heat dissipation mechanisms for direct fetal RF exposure.
  • Examined FDA limits for fetal ultrasound exposure.

Main Results:

  • Maternal temperature increases of 2-4°C above normal are linked to developmental issues in animal models.
  • RF exposure levels of ≥15 W/kg (WBA) could elevate maternal core temperature by 2°C.
  • A conservative threshold of 1.5 W/kg WBA is proposed to prevent significant reduction in blood flow to the fetus.
  • This proposed limit is over three times the current occupational RF exposure limits (0.4 W/kg WBA).
  • Direct fetal RF exposure is significantly attenuated by maternal tissues and heat dissipation.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal RF exposure limits should consider potential thermal effects on fetal development.
  • A proposed WBA limit of 1.5 W/kg offers a conservative safety margin against adverse thermal effects.
  • While routine ultrasound is generally safe, high-power Doppler ultrasound use should be minimized due to potential fetal heating.