Musa Lawan Wida

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THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC DAMATURU

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND LABORATORY
TECHNOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT

BY

MUSA LAWAN WIDA


2021/HND/SLT/ENV-BIO/026

COURSE CODE: STB412


COURSE TITLE: PRINCIPLE OF TOXICOLOGY

TO BE SUBMITED

TO THE
COURSE LECTURER

DR.ABUBAKAR EL-ISHAQ

JUNE, 2023
INTRODUCTION

Animal testing for toxicity is a controversial topic, and while it has been widely

used in the past, there has been a growing shift towards alternative testing

methods that do not involve animals. However, I can provide you with some

examples of animals that have historically been used in toxicity testing in

laboratory settings:

1. Rats: Laboratory rats, particularly the species Rattus norvegicus, have been

commonly used in toxicological studies due to their physiological similarities to

humans, ease of handling, and availability.

2. Mice: Mice, specifically the species Mus musculus, have been extensively

used in toxicology research. They share many biological similarities with

humans and have a short lifespan, making them convenient for experimental

studies.

3. Guinea pigs: Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) have been used in certain

toxicity tests, particularly for assessing allergic reactions or skin irritations.

4. Rabbits: Rabbits have been utilized in toxicology studies, particularly for

evaluating eye and skin irritation. The Draize test, which assesses the irritancy

potential of substances, has historically involved rabbits.


5. Dogs: Though less common, dogs have been used in certain toxicology

studies due to their physiological similarities to humans. However, their use in

toxicity testing has become increasingly controversial.

It's important to note that there is a growing push for alternatives to animal

testing, such as in vitro tests using cell cultures, computer simulations, and other

advanced technologies. These alternative methods aim to reduce or replace the

use of animals in toxicology research.

Determining the rate and extent of absorption, distribution, and excretion of

toxicity in guinea pigs or any other animal involves conducting specific

toxicokinetic studies. These studies aim to understand how a substance is

absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. Here is a

general overview of the process:

1. Absorption: Absorption refers to the uptake of a toxic substance from the

site of exposure into the bloodstream. In the case of guinea pigs, different routes

of exposure can be used, such as oral (ingestion), inhalation (breathing in),

dermal (through the skin), or intravenous (directly into the bloodstream)

2. Distribution: Once absorbed into the bloodstream, the toxic substance is

distributed throughout the body. It can be distributed to various organs, tissues,

and cells depending on factors such as blood flow, solubility, and the

substance's ability to bind to specific receptors or tissues.


3. Metabolism: Metabolism involves the chemical transformation of the toxic

substance within the body. This process typically occurs in the liver, where

enzymes break down the substance into metabolites, which may be more or less

toxic than the original compound.

4. Excretion: Excretion refers to the removal of the toxic substance or its

metabolites from the body. It can occur through various routes, including urine,

feces, breath, sweat, or milk (in the case of lactating animals). The kidneys,

liver, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract play crucial roles in the excretion process.

To determine the rate and extent of absorption, distribution, and excretion in

guinea pigs, specific toxicokinetic studies are conducted. These studies involve

administering a known quantity of the toxic substance through a chosen route of

exposure, followed by collecting samples of blood, tissues, urine, or feces at

various time intervals.

These samples are then analyzed to quantify the concentration of the substance

or its metabolites over time. By measuring these concentrations, researchers can

calculate pharmacokinetic parameters such as absorption rate, distribution

volume, half-life, clearance, and elimination rate.

It's important to note that conducting toxicokinetic studies in animals raises

ethical considerations, and there is an increasing focus on developing alternative


methods such as in vitro assays and computational modeling to minimize the

use of animals in toxicity testing.


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