The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing is an academic center affiliated with the Division of Toxicological Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

 

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Research Grants 1984-1985

Hepatotoxicity: An In Vitro Approach to the Study of Toxicity and Membrane Interactions of Cadmium Using Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

Elsie M.B. Sorensen, PhD and Daniel Acosta Jr., PhD
University of Texas School of Pharmacy, Austin, Texas

Elsie M. B. Sorensen, PhD, and Daniel Acosta Jr., PhD, of the University of Texas School of Pharmacy, Austin, received continued support for their research on liver cell membranes. Calcium and other nontoxic chemicals greatly affect the cells' sensitivity to some toxic chemicals, such as the metal cadmium.

These experiments may lead to tests of toxicity for the liver, skin cells, and the cornea of the eye. The results also suggest calcium may have therapeutic effects in victims of some kinds of poisoning, Dr. Acosta says.