Sytotoksiske

Sytotoksiske, often spelled cytotoxic, refers to substances or processes that are toxic to cells. This toxicity can manifest in various ways, leading to cell damage or death. The term is derived from the Greek words "kytos" meaning cell and "toxikon" meaning poison.

Sytotoksiske agents can be endogenous, meaning they are produced by the body itself, or exogenous, meaning they originate from external sources. Endogenous sytotoksiske molecules play roles in normal physiological processes such as immune responses and programmed cell death (apoptosis). For example, certain immune cells release sytotoksiske molecules to eliminate infected or cancerous cells.

Exogenous sytotoksiske agents include a wide range of compounds. Many drugs used in chemotherapy are sytotoksiske, designed to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. Environmental toxins, such as certain pesticides and heavy metals, can also exhibit sytotoksiske properties, harming cells in various organs. Even some natural compounds found in plants can be sytotoksiske.

The mechanism of sytotoksiske action varies greatly. Some agents damage DNA, disrupting cellular replication and function. Others interfere with essential metabolic pathways, or damage cell membranes, leading to lysis. Understanding the specific sytotoksiske mechanisms of a substance is crucial for developing treatments and for assessing potential health risks. Research into sytotoksiske agents is vital in fields ranging from pharmacology and toxicology to cancer research and environmental health.