An improved model to predict physiologically based model parameters and their inter-individual variability from anthropometry

Abstract

We developed a population physiology model, physB, which provides a statistical description of the physiological characteristics in the human population, in terms of the physiological parameters that are needed in physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling. The model predicts individual organ weights, blood flows and some respiratory parameters from anthropometric properties (body height and weight, age and gender). It draws on two existing models, PK-Pop and P³M, but various changes and improvements were made. The conceptual differences among the three models are discussed and they are quantitatively compared by running all three models for various specific combinations of anthropometric properties.

Keywords::

• Human physiology
• inter-individual variability
• generic PBPK model
• allometric scaling
• age
• height
• body weight
• obesity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the following researchers for their helpful comments on draft versions of this model and paper: Jan Meulenbelt and Claudine Hunault (National Poisons Information Centre, The Netherlands); Cathy Rompelberg (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Food and Health), Theo Vermeire (Expertise Centre for Substances, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), George Loizou (Health and Safety Laboratory, UK); Lisa Sweeney (Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, USA); Paul Schlosser, Rory Connolly and Rob DeWoskin (Environmental Protection Agency, USA).

Declaration of interest

This study was supported by the Board of Directors of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Project number: MAP SOR S/320001). The author’s affiliations are as shown on the cover page. The authors have solely responsibility for the writing and content of the paper and the views expressed in the paper are not necessarily the view of the granting agent which supported the preparation of the review.