Current status of conducting function tests in repeated dose toxicity studies in Japan

It seems desirable to conduct as many function tests as possible in repeated dose toxicity studies, but is it practicable? The current status of conducting function tests in repeated dose toxicity studies in Japan was investigated by a literature survey of more than one thousand papers published in seven Japanese toxicology journals during the past 10 years and by a questionnaire survey directed to toxicologists among the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA) member companies. The function tests often carried out in repeated dose toxicity studies were, for example: 1) electro-retinography (ERG) and visually evoked potential (VEP) for visual test and tonometer for intraocular pressure; 2) auricular reflex, evoked response audiometry (ERA) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) to sound stimuli; 3) respiration and heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure by noninvasive cuff methods or using electronic devices such as telemetry; 4) body temperature, spontaneous motility and some adaptation tests (using rotarod and sloped plate in rats); 5) indocyanin (ICG) or bromosulfophtalein (BSP) for hepatic test; 6) phenolsulfonphtalein (PSP) and creatinine clearance for renal test; and 7) immunoglobulin, leukocyte phagocytosis, lymphocyte blastgenesis and natural killer cell (NK) for immuno-reaction test. Limitations to conducting function tests in repeated dose toxicity studies and issues to be resolved were discussed, based on questions and suggestions given by the respondents to the questionnaire. Although it certainly seemed desirable to conduct as many function tests as possible in repeated dose toxicity studies, most of the function tests so far introduced into toxicity studies were not satisfactory, because those tests could not be carried out under the restricted conditions of repeated dose toxicity studies, and not much reliable data from function tests were obtainable. A variety of function tests should firstly be incorporated into single dose toxicity studies together with development of a new concept for methodology in safety pharmacology.