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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Assessment of Plasma Coagulation on Liver Tissue in a Large Animal Model In Vivo
Published on: August 4, 2018
9.2K
ASSESSMENT OF ANIMAL MODELS AS SURROGATES FOR HUMAN TUMORS FROM THREE DIFFERENT ORGANS
Ibrahim O Farah1, Zikri Arslan1, Michelle Tucci1
1Jackson State University and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|March 12, 2019
Summary
Elemental homeostasis is crucial for normal tissue function. This study found significant differences in elemental profiles between human and animal tissues, impacting the use of animal models in cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Oncology
Background:
- Tissue and cellular homeostasis depend on the balance of trace elements.
- Altered zinc (Zn) levels and metallothionein overexpression are linked to cancer development, including prostate cancer.
- Comprehensive elemental profiles correlating cancer and normal phenotypes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relevance of animal models as surrogates for human cancer tissues.
- To investigate differential metal concentrations and profiles in human and animal normal and cancer tissues.
- To establish critical elemental profiles correlating with the development of lung, breast, and liver cancers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of normal and tumor tissues from human cadavers (lung, breast, liver) and animal models (rats, dogs).
- Tissue sample preparation using standardized digestion procedures.
- Quantification of 21 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, V, Zn) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Main Results:
- Elemental homeostasis is essential for normal tissue function.
- Elemental content, distribution, and ranking are tissue-specific, carcinoma-specific, and species-specific.
- Significant variations in elemental profiles were observed between animal models and human tissues.
Conclusions:
- Elemental homeostasis is vital for normal tissue function.
- Shifts in elemental distribution and content are critical for determining the utility of animal models in cancer research.
- Results suggest further studies are needed to confirm animal models' relevance as pre-clinical tools for cancer therapeutics.
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