Chemosynthetic Livers May Save Countless Lab Animals

Scientists have found a way to develop “fake livers” which can be used for the testing of human drugs. Hopefully this will no longer necessitate the use of lab animals in time to come.

…after giving an animal a test drug, the experimental compound does its designated job in the body until the liver breaks it down. Then researchers try to detect the resulting, minute amounts of molecular byproducts, or metabolites. It�s these metabolites that are often responsible for causing nasty side effects that can derail an otherwise promising therapeutic candidate.

This is where the chemosynthetic livers come in. According to Chorghade, these chemosynthetic livers not only produce the same metabolites as animals in a fraction of the time, but they provide a more comprehensive profile in larger quantities that can be used for further testing. The researchers also believe they have additional benefits and can also be used to detoxify blood for liver transplant patients and to study the side effects of multiple drug interactions.

Read more:�http://www.care2.com/causes/how-fake-livers-could-save-countless-animals-from-being-condemned-to-death.html#ixzz2wgzGxHba

Meanwhile, do not support animal testing. As far as you can, use only products that have not been tested on animals.

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2014/03/22/chemosynthetic-livers-may..

Tweet

AnimalCare

AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

More Articles   |   Pets For Adoption   |   Website