Evidence cluster — Miniature pig (Sus scrofa) toxicology (peer-reviewed, Europe PMC)

Evidence: Miniature pig (Sus scrofa) toxicology

Source: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01. Queries covered toxicology, poisoning, intoxication, heavy metals, mycotoxins and (for relevant taxa) envenomation for Sus scrofa. The cluster returns 12 representative studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.

Studies

• PMID 42220643 (2026, Bioactive materials) — -30°C-operable bioadhesive hydrogel sensors for embryonic-like skin regeneration and real-time wound monitoring.. Abstract (opening): Hydrogel-based biosensors are promising for on-skin and in situ wound monitoring owing to their softness and biocompatibility, yet their practical deployment remains hindered by subzero failure caused by water crystallization, unstable adhesion on moist/exudative tissues, and limited ability to regulate the wound microenvironment. Here, we report an antifreezing, electroactive, and robust adhesive hydrogel bioadhesive sensor based on polyethylene glycol, a glycerol/water binary solvent, and carboxylated carbon nanotubes (PEG/Gly/CNT). The glycerol-water hydrogen-bonding network suppresses ice crystallization, enabling stable operation at -30°C, while an optimized 3 wt% CNT percolation network provides electroactivity and mechanical reinforcement. The resulting sensor exhibits strong wet-tissue adhesion (41.50 ± 1.62 kPa) and maintains high conductivity (2.07 ± 0.20 S/m) and high strain sensitivity (GF = 2.61) at -30°C, supporting wide-range linear strain sensing with rapid and stable signal readout under deformation. Beyond monitoring, the PEG/Gly/CNT facilitates microenvironmental regulation by endogenous bioelectrical signaling transmission at the wound interface. In a diabetic full-thickness skin wound model, the sensor enables continuous electrical readouts during healing and significantly accelerates wound closure (99.63 ± 0.41% recovery on day 12), accompanied by increased collagen type III deposition and an elevated MMP-9/α-SMA ratio, indicating embryonic-like remodeling. Moreover, conformal adhesion to dynamic tissues and real-time signal acquisition are demonstrated on Bama miniature pig cardiac wounds. This subzero-operable, bioadhesive, and electroactive hydrogel platform addresses key limitations of current hydrogel biosensors and offers reliable deployment and sensing in extreme-cold environments, while supporting tissue repair under physiological conditions and enabling cardiovascular monitoring.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42220643/

• PMID 41443443 (2026, Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA) — Barrier gel formulations and coated gloves to reduce skin permeation of nicotine and protect against green tobacco sickness.. Abstract (opening): Tobacco harvesting workers may have high levels of skin exposure to nicotine that can lead to green tobacco sickness. Current exposure reduction methods are often infeasible. The purpose of this work was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of topical barrier gel formulations as a personal protective equipment to reduce nicotine permeation through skin. Four formulations of a barrier gel developed and applied on Yucatan miniature pig skin were tested using a PermeGear flow through in vitro diffusion apparatus. Donor solutions of either L-nicotine or green tobacco leaf extract with and without the use of barrier gel formulations were analyzed over a 24 h exposure period. High pressure liquid chromatography was used to quantify the nicotine content in the receiver compartment. Gloves coated with a barrier gel formulation were also tested. The best barrier gel formulations reduced in vitro skin permeation of nicotine by 97.6 % from L-nicotine, by 64.0 % from green tobacco leaf extract, and by 86.6 % from green tobacco leaf extract for gardening gloves coated with the barrier gel. The barrier gel is effective in reducing skin permeation of nicotine in vitro and might have greater preventive capabilities at environmental exposure levels of nicotine during tobacco harvesting.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41443443/

• PMID 42074945 (2026, Journal of clinical medicine) — Liver Xenotransplantation: From Early Primate Trials to the First-in-Human Porcine Bridging Therapies.. Abstract (opening): Liver transplantation remains the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease and acute liver failure, yet a critical and persistent shortage of donor organs results in thousands of preventable deaths annually worldwide. Xenotransplantation has emerged as a potential solution to this structural deficit. This narrative review traces the evolution of liver xenotransplantation, from early non-human primate trials in the 1960s through the application of CRISPR/Cas9-driven multi-gene editing platforms in contemporary porcine donors. The immunological barriers that drove the transition from primate to porcine donors are examined, including hyperacute rejection mediated by anti-α-Gal antibodies, coagulation dysregulation and xenograft thrombotic microangiopathy. The genetic engineering strategies underlying current triple-knockout, ten-gene-edited donor pigs are reviewed alongside the preclinical non-human primate evidence establishing biological feasibility. The three pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation studies published between 2025 and 2026 are then analyzed, encompassing heterotopic auxiliary transplantation in a brain-dead decedent, extracorporeal liver cross-circulation and the first auxiliary liver xenotransplantation in a living recipient with a documented 171-day survival. These cases collectively provide preliminary evidence supporting proof-of-concept for porcine hepatic bridging therapy, with current evidence supporting a role for xenogeneic liver support as a temporary bridge to recovery or allotransplantation rather than definitive organ replacement. Xenograft thrombotic microangiopathy is identified as the principal remaining biological barrier, and the substantial translational challenges, including reproducibility, scalability and regulatory readiness that must be resolved before broader clinical application can be considered.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42074945/

• PMID 42079712 (2026, Health science reports) — Advances in Gene Therapy for Xerostomia: Current Perspectives and Future Directions: A Narrative Review.. Abstract (opening): <h4>Background and aims</h4>Xerostomia, or dry mouth, significantly impairs quality of life and oral health, particularly in patients subjected to radiation therapy or suffering from systemic disorders. This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of gene therapy interventions for xerostomia, exploring innovative approaches such as viral vector-mediated delivery of aquaporin-1, growth factor-based strategies, and cutting-edge CRISPR techniques.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a comprehensive literature search on gene therapy interventions for xerostomia to synthesize this narrative review.<h4>Results and conclusion</h4>A critical evaluation of these studies reveals promising advancements alongside current limitations in medical research, including off-site therapeutic effects, delivery efficiency, and long-term efficacy. This review thus provides a comprehensive perspective on current gene therapy strategies for xerostomia, setting the stage for future research to bridge the gap between experimental therapies and everyday clinical applications.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42079712/

• PMID 41997141 (2026, Cell reports. Medicine) — A pig model of human radiation-induced veno-occlusive liver disease reveals ferroptosis as a therapeutic target.. Abstract (opening): Radiation-induced liver disease (RILD) poses a major clinical challenge in radiotherapy, transplantation preconditioning, or radiation accidents, yet its pathogenesis is poorly understood due to limited animal models. Here, we establish a translational pig model recapitulating human RILD pathology within 4 weeks post-40 Gy irradiation, featuring veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and centrilobular necrosis. Single-cell atlas analyses identify ferroptosis as a key driver of hepatocyte death during RILD initiation. Ferroptosis inhibition with liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) not only prevents RILD progression but also reverses histological damage and restores liver function. Mechanistically, Lip-1 treatment restores dysregulated gene expression profiles, particularly associated with hepatocyte ferroptosis, while stimulating hepatic regeneration via coordinated proliferation of hepatocytes and endothelial cells. Our findings establish ferroptosis inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for RILD, demonstrating its dual role in cytoprotection and regeneration. This large animal model provides a robust platform to optimize radiotherapy regimens, improve transplant conditioning, and develop targeted radioprotectants.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41997141/

• PMID 42278458 (2026, International journal of molecular sciences) — Mitigation of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Improvement in Overall Graft Viability by Hypothermic Pulsatile Perfusion with Molecular Hydrogen Is Associated with Trx-1/HO-1 Activation in a Non-Survival Ex Vivo Swine Model of Donation-After-Circulatory-Death Kidney Preservation and Transplantation.. Abstract (opening): Despite their reduced viability, kidneys from donors-after-circulatory-death (DCD) increase the pool of transplantable kidneys. Molecular hydrogen (H₂) is emerging as a gas with therapeutic potential against graft injury. We investigated the effect of H₂ in an ex vivo porcine model of DCD kidney transplantation. Renal arteries of male Yorkshire pigs (<i>n</i> = 6) were clamped in situ for 60 min to induce ischemia, and ureters and arteries were cannulated to mimic DCD kidney injury. Upon nephrectomy, kidneys were flushed with UW solution or H₂-saturated UW solution and then preserved by machine perfusion at 4 °C for 4 h followed by a 4-h reperfusion period with warm autologous blood. Urine and arterial blood samples were collected hourly. H₂ preserved renal architecture, evidenced by significantly reduced tubular necrosis and renal expression of damage markers, which corresponded with the downregulated renal expression of pro-inflammatory genes compared to the UW-only group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). H₂ also markedly reduced levels of serum creatinine, BUN and intrarenal resistance, while flow rate, creatinine clearance and urine output were significantly higher, which positively correlated with Trx-1 and HO-1 expression in comparison with UW only group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Improvement in renal graft quality and function is associated with Trx-1/HO-1 activation, suggesting preliminary clinical trials in kidney transplantation.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42278458/

• PMID 41714661 (2026, Scientific reports) — Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on human sperm quality during the freeze thaw process: a systematic review and meta analysis.. Abstract (opening): The use of antioxidants in cryopreservation media has been shown to improve post-thaw sperm quality and male fertility in several credible meta-analyses. However, to our knowledge, no review has specifically examined the impact of astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant, on sperm quality after freezing. This meta-analysis and systematic review aims to investigate how astaxanthin affects sperm parameters during the freeze-thaw process. A thorough search of electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted up until July 1, 2024. Random-effects models were used to synthesize the data, and the quality and heterogeneity of the evidence were assessed. Our findings show that while astaxanthin improved sperm viability and morphology, there was no significant improvement in total motility (MD = 5.67, 95% CI: -7.49 to 18.84, p = 0.40) or DNA damage (MD = -12.07, 95% CI: -25.72 to 1.57, p = 0.08) after thawing. However, significant increases were observed in progressive motility (MD = 6.79, 95% CI: 3.37 to 10.21, p = 0.00) and sperm viability during thawing (MD = 7.56, 95% CI: 4.91 to 10.21, p = 0.00). Astaxanthin also significantly improved the percentage of sperm with normal morphology (MD = -24.53, 95% CI: -45.25 to -3.81, p = 0.02). Additionally, sperm kinematic parameters including VAP (MD = 3.71, 95% CI: 0.65 to 6.77, p = 0.02) and VCL (MD = 3.37, 95% CI: 1.19 to 5.54, p = 0.00) were significantly improved, while no significant differences were observed for VSL, LIN, and STR.A descriptive synthesis of redox status, metabolic activity, MMP measures, and apoptosis was conducted.These findings suggest that astaxanthin supplementation can significantly improve sperm viability, morphology, and certain kinematic parameters during the freeze-thaw process. However, due to the small sample sizes, risk of bias, and significant heterogeneity, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41714661/

• PMID 42199526 (2026, Biomedical reports) — Chemotherapy-induced oxidative injury in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: The role of N-acetylcysteine (Review).. Abstract (opening): Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. However, intensive chemotherapy frequently leads to notable organ toxicity, much of which is mediated by treatment-induced oxidative stress. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during cytotoxic therapy contribute to tissue damage, including the liver, heart and nervous system. Current adjunctive therapies provide drug-specific protection, such as dexrazoxane for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity, but they do not address the shared ROS-generating pathway, a common mechanism of chemotherapy-induced toxicity across multiple agents and tissues. The present narrative review synthesizes the biochemical rationale, preclinical evidence and translational considerations for N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as a redox-modulating adjunct therapy in pediatric ALL. NAC acts as a glutathione precursor, scavenges reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, chelates redox-active metals, and modulates inflammatory signaling pathways. These properties have been associated with cytoprotective effects in preclinical models of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity and oxidative injury. Available evidence suggests that NAC can reduce treatment-related toxicity without consistently compromising antitumor efficacy, although outcomes appear to be dependent on timing, dosage and treatment context. While the favorable safety, low cost and accessibility of NAC support its potential clinical utility, current evidence remains limited, particularly in pediatric ALL populations. In conclusion, NAC represents a promising but context-dependent adjunctive strategy for mitigating chemotherapy-induced toxicity in pediatric ALL. Further well-designed clinical studies are required to define its optimal use, including timing, dosing and impact on oncological outcomes.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42199526/

• PMID 40784519 (2026, Journal of advanced research) — Non-solvent cinnamic acid-based gel patch for transdermal drug delivery.. Abstract (opening): <h4>Introduction</h4>Drugs entitled polymeric network special functions in bio-applications. However, the introduction of appropriate solvent for drugs generally incurred tedious inclusion methods, intensive chemical design and aging caused by solvent loss. Herein, a novel non-solvent gel system was proposed for water-insoluble drug loading and subsequent controlled transdermal drug release.<h4>Objectives</h4>The purpose of this work is related to prepare a non-solvent transdermal gel patch loaded with cinnamic acid (CA) for the treatment of myocardial ischemia (MI), wound healing, etc. METHODS: The non-solvent transdermal gel patch was easily synthesized by melting the mixture of CA, thioctic acid (TA) and zinc acetate dihydrate. Basic gel properties such as chemical architecture, mechanical strength, swelling property, rheology, adhesive property, surface hydrophilicity and antibacterial activity were studied. Biocompatibility was evaluated by in vitro NIH3T3 cell culture and in vivo subcutaneous implantation. Transdermal drug delivery was revealed by a HPLC method for in vitro transdermal assay. A SD rat dorsal full-thickness open wound model and a SD rat MI model were involved to verify the therapeutic effect of this gel patch.<h4>Results</h4>The prepared gel patch contained both physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking points. As viewed by mechanical and rheological tests, the gel exhibited ductility, viscoelasticity and self-healing property. The gel showed wide-scope adhesion towards various materials, in which the maximum tissue adhesion strength reached 0.12 MPa. The transdermal CA release rate was ranged from 20 to 40 µg/h. In prospect of histological analysis from MI treatment, this gel was also capable of repairing myocardial injury, promoting angiogenesis and inhibiting myocardial cell hypertrophy.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This work opened an approach in the field of gel patch design for transdermal drug delivery, which was promising in large scale production and biomedical applications.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40784519/

• PMID 41797965 (2026, Regenerative biomaterials) — Pathology-guided design of injectable hydrogels for precision therapy and cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis.. Abstract (opening): Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease whose complex pathological microenvironment and limited cartilage self-repair capacity have resulted in the absence of therapeutic approaches capable of simultaneously achieving structural reconstruction and functional recovery. Current clinical strategies face significant limitations, as conventional pharmacological treatments can only alleviate symptoms with accompanying systemic side effects, while surgical interventions often encounter challenges such as inadequate mechanical properties of repaired tissues and long-term degeneration. The precise functionalization of injectable hydrogels represents a key strategy for cartilage regeneration and the core challenge lies in integrating multiple material properties to design on-demand delivery platforms that can dynamically respond to complex pathological microenvironments <i>in vivo</i>. This review systematically elaborates on precision customization strategies for injectable hydrogels based on OA pathological mechanisms, focusing on how hydrogel design responds to pathological signals in the joint microenvironment to achieve on-demand and precise regulation of therapeutic agents including drugs, cells and genes. Beginning with cartilage structure and injury mechanisms, this article analyzes the limitations of existing pharmacological and surgical repair methods, then, elaborate on the multifunctional platform role of hydrogels in cartilage tissue engineering, including recent advances in mechanical design, drug loading/release behavior, inflammation regulation, stem cell delivery and gene-activated repair. Finally, it outlines challenges and future directions for smart hydrogels in cartilage regenerative medicine, aiming to provide a theoretical framework and technical pathway for integrating materials science with clinical medicine.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41797965/

• PMID 41923624 (2026, Cell reports. Medicine) — Human promoter-driven AAV tools enable precision gene therapy targeting cochlear hair cells.. Abstract (opening): Approximately 50% of hereditary deafness cases and most age-related hearing loss result from cochlear hair cell dysfunction. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy offers a promising strategy for hearing restoration. However, the cochlea's complex cellular composition poses a significant challenge for targeted gene delivery into hair cells. Here, we establish a cross-species screening platform for cochlear AAV tools, applicable from rodents to large animals. Using this platform, we identify human promoters that specifically target inner hair cells, outer hair cells, or all hair cells in mice. The hair cell-specific coProB2 promoter is further validated in Bama miniature pigs and cynomolgus monkeys, achieving specific transgene expression in hair cells without auditory toxicity. Importantly, coProB2-driven gene therapies in DFNB79 and DFNB9 mouse models restore auditory function to near wild-type levels. Thus, this study establishes a cross-species-compatible, hair cell-specific AAV system, providing a versatile toolbox for cochlear hair cell gene therapy.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41923624/

• PMID 42245910 (2026, JBMR plus) — From farm to lab: gene-edited sheep transforming bone research.. Abstract (opening): For more than half a century, mice have been the workhorse of biomedical research. Their small size, rapid reproduction, and well-characterized genetics make them ideal disease models, and genome editing has enabled transgenic, knock-out, and knock-in lines that mimic numerous human conditions. These advances transformed modern biology, yielding fundamental insights into cancer, metabolism, immunity, and more. Their strengths notwithstanding, mouse models have important limitations, as biology does not scale neatly across species. Differences in physiology, size, and metabolism can obscure-or even distort-experimental outcomes. Nowhere is this clearer than in musculoskeletal research. Human bones are dynamic tissues that undergo Haversian remodeling, whereas mice exhibit limited Haversian remodeling and display distinct temporal growth trajectories. Moreover, mice have monophyodont dentition and craniofacial development diverges in ways that impact maxillofacial studies, and aging timelines differ. These differences limit our ability to understand human bone disorders from murine models alone. Biotechnology offers a new path forward: advances in genome sequencing, assembly and molecular engineering enable precise DNA editing in larger domesticated species-sheep, goats, and pigs-whose skeletal size, biomechanics, growth patterns, and remodeling dynamics more closely mirror humans. By introducing targeted, patient-relevant mutations, large-animal models can replicate mechanisms difficult to capture in mice and support longitudinal, clinically-relevant phenotyping-imaging, histomorphometry, serum biomarkers, and functional testing-in a translatable human-like context. The implications are profound. Large-animal models can validate disease pathways, refine biomarkers, and evaluate drugs, biologics, and implants, potentially improving treatment strategies and reducing clinical failures and costs. This shift does not diminish the value of mice, whose genetic tractability and cost-effectiveness ensure a central and continued important role in discovery. Rather, it adds a complementary strategy: expand to gene-edited large-animal models when human skeletal-like biology matters and where mice fall short, thereby bridging the gap between fundamental research and clinical reality.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42245910/

Source text: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_mini_pig_toxicology_2026-08-01.txt (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).