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A brief review of kidney development, maturation, developmental abnormalities, and drug toxicity: juvenile animal

John Curtis Seely1

  • 1Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., P.O. Box 12766, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.

Journal of Toxicologic Pathology
|May 2, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Juvenile animal studies are crucial for identifying drug toxicity during development. Kidney development varies significantly, impacting drug effects and requiring careful study design for accurate toxicological assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Toxicology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Nonclinical juvenile animal testing is vital for assessing drug safety during critical developmental periods.
  • Organogenesis and functional maturation timelines differ between juvenile and adult animals, influencing drug toxicity.
  • Kidney maturation varies across species and age groups, necessitating specialized toxicological considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of age-related differences in juvenile animal studies for drug toxicity assessment.
  • To emphasize the unique developmental aspects of the kidney in juvenile animals.
  • To guide toxicologic pathologists in planning effective juvenile animal studies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on juvenile animal toxicology and kidney development.
  • Analysis of age-dependent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variations.
  • Consideration of species-specific maturation timelines.

Main Results:

  • Juvenile kidneys exhibit unique sensitivities and resistance to drug-induced nephrotoxicity compared to adults.
  • Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiles in juveniles differ, altering toxicity.
  • Observed toxicities in juvenile animals may not always predict human responses.

Conclusions:

  • Careful planning of juvenile animal studies is essential for understanding drug effects on developing organs, particularly the kidney.
  • Awareness of age-related maturation is critical for interpreting toxicologic findings.
  • Juvenile animal studies require tailored approaches to accurately assess drug safety and potential risks.
Keywords:
abnormalitiesdevelopmentjuvenile animalskidneymaturationtoxicity

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