Identification and Validation of Drug Targets for Coronary Heart Disorder Treatment - Coursework Example

On the other hand, fibrates function by moderately lowering the levels of LDL while increasing those of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the plasma, and are recommended for the treatment of hypoalphalipoproteinemia (Staels et al., 1998). This study highlights the steps undertaken in target identification and validation to optimize the efficacy and safety of new drugs. This is exemplified by the effect of statin on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in dogs.During the drug development process, target identification and validation are important as determining the approach to be used.

It is also important so as to identify any issues about reliability, safety, and ethics. In this case, the target is a broad term referring to biological objects such as proteins, genes, and RNA (Hughes et al., 2011). Methods for target identification include:Various techniques have been employed in target validation which ranges from in vitro tools such as cultured cells and yeast to the use of whole animal models such as invertebrates (Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans), fish, zebra, rats, mice, primate, and dogs.

Modeling of the wanted target in disease patients has also been applied (Hughes et al., 2011). While each approach is valid in its own right, multi-validation approaches that significantly increase confidence levels in the observed outcome are preferred (Hughes et al., 2011).A total of six cohorts of dogs ‘three statin-treated and three placebo-treated’ were used in the study. Each cohort comprised of five dogs. The dogs were fed on a chow diet for 21 days after the treatment was introduced.

The dogs were administered with either statin (10 mg/kg, 20mg/kg or 30mg/kg rosuvastatin) or equal volume of placebo (0.5 ml of 10% 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in autoclaved water) treatment. The serum LDL cholesterol levels were monitored once a week for six weeks. Blood samples (0.5 ml) were collected from the retro-orbital plexus using EDTA heparinized capillary tubes under anesthesia after every14 hours, first before and after the drug treatments.