Acute and Subacute Toxicity Studies

Acute and Subacute Toxicity Studies

Acute Toxicity Studies:

• These studies assess the immediate or short-term effects of a substance when administered in single or multiple doses within 24 hours.
• The primary aim is to determine the lethal dose (LD50), which is the dose at which 50% of the test animals die.
• Acute toxicity tests typically involve exposure through various routes, such as oral, inhalation, or dermal.
• Observations focus on behavioral changes, signs of toxicity, and mortality within 14 days.
• Acute toxicity helps determine the potential risks for accidental or intentional overdoses of drugs or chemicals.

Subacute Toxicity Studies:

• These studies evaluate the effects of a substance when administered repeatedly over a longer period, typically from 14 to 28 days.
• The goal is to observe any adverse effects on organs or tissues that may not appear in acute studies.
• Common parameters measured include body weight, food consumption, blood and urine analysis, and organ histopathology.
• Subacute toxicity helps identify possible target organs for toxicity and establish a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL), which aids in determining the safe dosage for humans.

Both acute and subacute studies play crucial roles in risk assessment and drug development. They ensure that substances are safe before advancing to longer-term studies or human trials.