The exploration of respiratory diseases is a complex field, and it is necessary to understand the human body and various animal models. Research on these diseases is crucial because they represent major health burdens worldwide, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis. These diseases usually require innovative treatment methods, and animal models play a key role in the development of these therapies.
Eleonorefröhlich of Graz Medical University conducted a comprehensive review of the importance of animal models in breathing research. The comments were published in the “International Molecular Science Magazine”, which clarified the condition of animal models and continued to understand respiratory diseases and new therapies.
Professor FRhhlich said: “Although the alternatives of the body test have made significant progress, animal research is still a gold standard for toxic testing and drug development.” Her analysis outlines the main differences between the anatomical structure and physiology in the commonly used mammalian model. And highlight their respective advantages and limitations.
One of the most important challenges in breathing research is anatomy and physiological differences between humans and animals. These differences can affect the development of diseases and treatment methods. For example, although mice are usually used in respiratory research due to their low cost and possibility of genetically modified animals, their size and different respiratory science can limit the direct applicability of finding results to human health. Large animals such as pigs and non -human spiritual animals provide more close anatomy and physiological similarities with humans, but moral attention and high costs make their use more challenging.
The comment also discussed the historical background of animal experiments and traced its origin to ancient times. For centuries, the use of animals in medical research has developed, and has made important contributions to the development of vaccines, anesthesia, and various therapy plans. However, as the comments pointed out, the moral considerations around animal testing have also grown, which has also increased, thereby increasing and improving and the efforts of alternative animal use (3R).
Professor FRhhlich emphasized that although they have developed significantly in the alternatives of animal testing such as in vitro research and computing models, they still cannot completely copy the complexity of the organisms. For example, animal models are still crucial to understanding how inhaled substances affect the entire respiratory system, which cannot be easily simulated in the laboratory environment. Improved cell exposure systems, physiological correlation cell culture systems, and novel fish and new cell culture systems such as Fill and Fly models can bridge the gap between in vitro and traditional mammals. However, the time required to establish them as a highly reproducible system. She said: “In view of this, it seems unrealistic to completely replace animal research in the near future.”
In the context of respiratory diseases, different animal species provide unique insights. Mice are particularly valuable in studying asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. However, for other respiratory diseases, such as COPD or cystic fibrosis, pigs or non -human long animals (such as pigs or non -human long animals) are more suitable. These animals have more closely imitating the respiratory system of human anatomical structures, making them a better model for studying disease progress and testing new therapies. Although there is no lungs, vertebrates can understand the specific characteristics of respiratory diseases.
The study also involves the future of respiratory research, which indicates that mammals and non -mammal animals models, in vitro systems and calculation methods may be the road of forward. This comprehensive method can reduce dependence on animal models, while still providing necessary insights to develop effective respiratory disease treatment methods.
According to her, the biological test system should be selected according to the specific characteristics of the disease. After extensive testing of advanced cell systems and non -mammalian models (under appropriate circumstances), the compound should be tested in the most related mammalian model.
Journal reference
Eleonore. “Animals in breathing research.” International Molecular Science Magazine, 2024.
Doi: https: //doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052903
About the author
Eleonorefrihlich It is a professor of anatomy, histology and embryonics, the core facility imaging director of the Medical Research Center of the Glas Medical University Medical College, and the main researcher of the K1 Excellent Technology Center. Her research activities include research on the toxicity of nanoparticles in various in vitro systems, biological assessment of inhalation preparations, and the role of thyroid hormones in humans. According to instructions 2010/63/EU, the chairman of the animal welfare institution of Graz Medical University, her goal is to contribute to 3RS and balance the use of animals in the study.
