Hormesis and medicine

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Nov;66(5):594-617. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03243.x. Epub 2008 Jun 28.

Abstract

Evidence is presented which supports the conclusion that the hormetic dose-response model is the most common and fundamental in the biological and biomedical sciences, being highly generalizable across biological model, endpoint measured and chemical class and physical agent. The paper provides a broad spectrum of applications of the hormesis concept for clinical medicine including anxiety, seizure, memory, stroke, cancer chemotherapy, dermatological processes such as hair growth, osteoporosis, ocular diseases, including retinal detachment, statin effects on cardiovascular function and tumour development, benign prostate enlargement, male sexual behaviours/dysfunctions, and prion diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug*
  • Humans
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level
  • Pharmacology, Clinical / methods*
  • Toxicology / methods*