title: Hormesis--the stimulation of growth by low levels of inhibitors.
abstract: Hormesis is the name given to the stimulatory effects caused by low levels of potentially toxic agents. When this phenomenon was first identified it was called the Arndt-Schulz Law or Hueppe's Rule because it was thought to occur generally. Although this generalisation is not accepted today, there has never been more evidence in its support, justifying a re-examination of the phenomenon. Evidence from the literature shows that not only has growth hormesis been observed in a range of taxa after exposure to a variety of agents, but also that the dose-response data have a consistent form. While there are a number of separate hypotheses to explain specific instances of hormesis, the evidence presented here suggests that different examples might have a common explanation, and the possibility of a general theory is considered.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000254:growth & development; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000254:growth & development; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007306:Insecticides; D008670:Metals