Hormesis: interpreting the ?-curve using control theory

Abstract

Data from experiments exposing colonial hydroids to toxic growth inhibitors have provided evidence of growth control mechanisms that respond adaptively to counter toxic inhibition. Analysis of growth data and the development of simulation models provide an interpretation of both alpha- and beta-curves. The hypothesis also suggests that hormesis is related to adaptation by growth control mechanisms that confer tolerance to subsequent exposure.

Elucidating the Mechanism(s) of Hormesis at the Cellular Level: The Universal Cell Response

“…This is broadly consistent with the aforementioned general scheme of cell life [42] (Fig. 2) and is fundamental to a well-established and widely-discussed explanation of hormesis [10,11,19,43,48,49] . In these and other publications, Stebbing proposed that hormesis is a consequence of non-specific adaptive (homeostatic) effects.…”

Maia hypothesis — Growth control and toxicology

“……”

Natural Fungicides from Ruta graveolens L. Leaves, Including a New Quinolone Alkaloid

“…Growth stimulation caused by low levels of potentially toxic agents is termed “hormesis” (). Several examples from the literature show that this phenomenon has been observed during experiments exposing target organisms to toxic growth inhibitors ( − ). All of the alkaloids in this study were less active than captan.…”