Production of reactive oxygen species by toxin T-514 of genus Karwinskia in vitro.

In the present study we have analyzed the production of reactive oxygen species by toxin T-514 of the genus Karwinskia in vitro (primary liver cell cultures and microsomes), as well as their possible role in its cytotoxicity. The role of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as defense mechanisms against oxidative stress was also studied. Freshly isolated hepatocytes or microsomes were exposed to T-514 in the presence or absence of catalase and SOD. Cytotoxicity was determined by methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) reduction. Oxidative stress was evaluated by the dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescent probe and the reduction of ferricytochrome c. Exposure of hepatocytes to toxin T-514 for 2-, 4-, 6- and 24-h periods resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the suppression of mitochondrial metabolic activity. T-514 induced the production of reactive oxygen species in both hepatocytes and microsomes. Catalase and superoxide dismutase had a protective effect against the cytotoxicity of T-514 in hepatocytes and also inhibited the production of oxygen reactive species in microsomes. The results indicate that oxidative stress mediated by reactive intermediates may be a mechanism by which T-514 induces its cytotoxic effect.     

Irniine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid, isolated from Arisarum vulgare can induce apoptosis and/or necrosis in rat hepatocyte cultures.

The effects of irniine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid extracted from the tubers of Arisarum vulgare, on rat hepatocyte primary cultures and rat liver epithelial cell line (RLEC) were studied. Cytotoxicity was first evaluated by LDH release, MTT and NR tests and MDA production, while cellular alterations were visualized by electron microscopy and DNA gel-electrophoresis. In hepatocyte and RLEC cultures, a major toxicity appeared at 40 microM of irniine and was demonstrated by an increase in LDH release and decreases in MTT reduction and NR uptake while concentrations lower than 40 microM did not induce significant changes in these parameters. However, we observed an increase in MDA production at 30 microM. Important alterations of the nuclei and mitochondria were also visualized by electron microscopy in cells treated with 50 microM. Using DNA gel-electrophoresis, we demonstrated that irniine at 40 and 50 microM induced DNA damage. All together these results demonstrate that: (1) Irniine induces a significant hepatotoxicity. (2) Irniine toxicity is not mediated by a metabolic derivative since RLEC, which do not contain a monooxygenase system, were also affected by this compound. (3) Irniine induces a significant DNA damage and oxidative stress which leads to cell death by necrosis and/or by apoptosis. Moreover, our data suggest that the alkaloid irniine contained in A. vulgare may be involved in the toxic symptoms observed after medicinal use or consumption of the plant tubers as food both by humans and animals.     

T-588, a cognitive enhancer, protects against sodium nitroprusside-induced toxicity in cultured astrocytes

The effects of (1R)-1-benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-2-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]ethan-1-ol hydrochloride (T-588), a cognitive enhancer, on sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced cytotoxicity were examined in cultured rat astrocytes. Treatment with 100 microM SNP for 72 h decreased cell viability and mitochondrial function assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenil tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction activity, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and intracellular ATP level. T-588 at 100 microM prevented SNP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell injury. Furthermore, T-588 increased MTT reduction activity without affecting cell proliferation in astrocytes. These results suggest that T-588 has a protective effect against SNP-mediated toxicity via improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes.     

Experimental intoxication with fruit and purified toxins of buckthorn (Karwinskia humboldtiana)

To determine the extent of extraneural lesions in buckthorn poisoning, 180 CD1 mice were administered either green or ripe fruit or toxins T-544 or T-514 obtained from the fruit of the plant and were observed over a period of three weeks. Marked weakness, hyporeflexia, hair bristling, ptosis, spinal deformity, weight loss and dypsnea were prominent signs. Mortality in mice given green fruit was 100% at all doses; with toxin T-514 the mortality was 100% at 45 mg/kg. One hundred and sixty-two necropsies were performed and major lesions were found in liver and lung. The pulmonary lesions consisted of progressive vascular congestion and hemorrhage. Alterations in liver consisted of congestion, hemorrhage, hepatocyte degeneration, central zone necrosis and acute diffuse necrosis. Green fruit was more toxic than ripe fruit and T-514 was more active than T-544.     

Toxicological interactions between the mycotoxins beauvericin, deoxynivalenol and T-2 toxin in CHO-K1 cells in vitro

Beauvericin (BEA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin (T-2) are important food-borne mycotoxins that have been implicated in human health. In this study, the acute toxicity of individual and combined mycotoxins (BEA, DON and T-2) were tested in immortalized hamster ovarian cells (CHO-K1) at 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure, by the tetrazolium salt (MTT) and neutral red (NR) assays. The IC₅₀ values obtained for all mycotoxins by the MTT and NR assays ranged from 0.017 to 12.08 μM and from 0.042 to 17.22 μM, respectively. Both, individual and combined mycotoxins demonstrated a significant cytotoxic effect in CHO-K1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. When mycotoxins were assayed individually, T-2 showed the strongest IC₅₀ values (from 0.017 to 0.052 μM), by both endpoints tested, followed by DON (0.53-2.30 μM) and BEA, showing this last one, the weakest IC₅₀ values (from 2.77 to 17.22 μM). On the other hand, cytotoxicity interactions were evaluated by the isobologram method. In acute binary tests, DON + BEA (CI = 1.60-25.07) and DON + T-2 (CI = 1.74-7.71) showed antagonism at 24, 48 and 72 h of exposure. By contrast, the binary BEA + T-2 combination (CI = 0.35-0.78) showed synergism at all time of exposure tested. The tertiary BEA + DON + T-2 combination demonstrated synergism effect (CI = 0.47-0.86) after 24 and 48 h of exposure; however moderate antagonistic effect (CI = 1.14-1.60) was presented after 72 h of exposure at the lower doses. These results provide quantitative evidence regarding potentially important interactions between BEA, DON and T-2 depending of the time of exposure. The combination index-isobologram equation method can serve as a useful tool in food risk assessment. Due to the potent toxic effects of BEA, DON and T-2, its combined exposure might be an important trigger for development of several diseases in humans, from the mycotoxicological point of view, especially after long period of exposure time.     

In vitro metabolism and toxicity assessment of toxin T-514 (Peroxisomicine A1) of Karwinskia humboldtiana in microsomes and primary cultured hepatocytes.

T-514 (Peroxisomicine A(1)) from Karwinskia humboldtiana is a dimeric hydroxyanthracenone with a highly selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. We evaluated the metabolism of this compound in two in vitro systems (liver microsomes and hepatocytes) and assessed the cytotoxicity of its metabolites on normal and tumor cells. Microsomes (12.5, 125 and 250 microg of protein/ml) and hepatocytes (1 x 10(6) cells/ml) were incubated with the toxin (25 microM) for 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h and the samples were examined using chromatographic analysis and UV spectra. Two metabolites (M1 and M2) were detected in the rat microsomes and one (M1) in the monkey microsomes. The retention times and UV spectra of the peaks were very similar to those of the toxin T-514. M1 was isolated and identified as a mixture of two isomers. The cytotoxicity of the metabolites was evaluated in Chang liver and Hep G2 cells but they did not show the selective cytotoxic effect on tumor cells seen in the original compound.     

In vitro assessment of copper-induced toxicity in the human hepatoma line, Hep G2.

Copper, though essential, is highly toxic when present in excess, as in Wilson disease, a genetic disorder of hepatic copper metabolism. We hypothesized that mitochondria are a major target of copper-induced cytotoxicity in Wilson disease. We used the human hepatoma line Hep G2 to examine copper-mediated cytotoxicity and three different methods to assess organelle damage: MTT assay (mitochondria), neutral red (NR; lysosomes) and Trypan blue exclusion assay (TB; plasma membrane). For all assays, cells at approximately 60% confluence in microtitre plates were incubated with CuCl(2) (concentration range: 50-100-150-200 microM) for 24 or 48 h. Results were expressed as percent of untreated control. At 24 h, cytotoxicity as detected by NR assay was significantly higher at all concentrations of copper than for MTT or TB ( p<0.005 at all concentrations). Cytotoxicity as detected by MTT was higher than that detected by TB at all concentrations except at 200 microM (p<0.05 for 50 microM, p<0.005 for 100 microM, p = 0.001 for 150 microM). Results at 48 h were similar (NR versus others: p <0.001 MTT versus TB: NS except at 150 microM where p<0.01). We investigated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in copper-associated hepatocytoxicity by incubating sub-confluent cells with 2('),7(')-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate dye plus copper (concentration range: 0-200 microM) for 1-1.5 h. Copper, but not zinc, produced significant increases in ROS (p<0.001). In summary, Hep G2 lysosomes appeared more susceptible to Cu-mediated damage than mitochondria; the cell membrane was highly resistant to damage.     

Dead or dying: the importance of time in cytotoxicity assays using arsenite as an example

Arsenite is a toxicant and environmental pollutant associated with multisite neoplasias and other health effects. The wide range of doses used and the claims that some high doses are "not toxic" in some assays have confounded studies on its mechanism of action. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the treatment time and particularly the duration between treatment and assay are important factors in assessing arsenite toxicity. We compared three commonly used assays: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), neutral red (NR), and clonal survival, using human osteogenic sarcoma (HOS) cell line U-2OS. Results from the assays were well correlated only when the factor of time was taken into account. In both the MTT and NR assays, exposure to arsenite for 24 h induced much less toxicity than exposure for 48 or 72 h, which gave similar results. In contrast, results in clonal survival assays showed only a small difference between 24-h exposure and longer exposure times. Arsenite demonstrated delayed cytotoxicity, killing the cells even after its removal from the medium in NR assay. Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activation. After treatment for 24 h with 0.1 and 1 microM arsenite, no apoptosis was seen. However, after an additional 24 h in arsenite-free medium, a small amount of apoptosis could be detected, and much more apoptosis was seen after 48 h. In contrast, 10 microM arsenite triggered rapid necrosis and failed to activate caspase 3 or cause TUNEL staining. We also confirmed previous reports that exposure to low concentrations of arsenite caused transient stimulation of cell growth. Our finding of delayed toxicity by arsenite suggests that to avoid underestimation of toxicity, the duration between treatment and assay should be taken into account in choosing appropriate doses for arsenite as well as for other toxicants that may show similar delayed toxicity. The NR and MTT assays should be performed only after an interval of at least 48 h after a 24-h exposure to arsenite.     

Toxicity and oxidative stress induced by T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in broilers and broiler hepatocytes

T-2 and HT-2 toxins belong to mycotoxins which are found in human foods and animal chow. We investigated the toxicity and oxidative stress induced by T-2/HT-2 in broilers and chicken hepatocytes. Maize cultures of Fusarium poae was fed to broilers for 42 d, and the physiological index, biochemical index and expression of mRNAs related to oxidative stress were analyzed. Chicken hepatocytes were treated with different levels of T-2/HT-2, and the following parameters were detected: cell viability, GSH and MDA concentration, LDH leakage, activities of ALT/AST, ROS, GSH-PX, SOD and CAT, and expression of mRNA related to oxidative stress. In vivo, high levels of mycotoxins (4 mg/kg T-2 and 0.667 mg/kg HT-2) in feed caused significant reductions in body weight, weight gain, and serum total protein, and significant increases in feed conversion ratio, ALP, ALT/AST activities, and expression of mRNA related to oxidative stress. In vitro, cells treated with T-2/HT-2 showed reductions of GSH concentration and significant increases in LDH leakage, ALT/AST ROS, GSH-PX, SOD and CAT activities, MDA concentration, and expression of mRNA related to oxidative stress. Consequently, F. poae culture material and T-2/HT-2 induced toxicity and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro, respectively.     

Renal cysteine conjugate C-S lyase mediated toxicity of halogenated alkenes in primary cultures of human and rat proximal tubular cells

Proximal tubular cells from human (HPT) and rat (RPT) kidneys were isolated, grown to confluence and incubated with S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)- l-cysteine (DCVC), S-(1,2,2-trichlorovinyl)- l-cysteine (TCVC), S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)- l-cysteine (TFEC) and S-(2-chloro-1,1-difluorethyl)- l-cysteine (CDFEC), the cysteine conjugates of nephrotoxicants. The cultures were exposed to the conjugates for 12, 24 and 48 h and the toxicity determined using the MTT assay. All four conjugates caused dose-dependent toxicity to RPT cells over the range 50-1,000 microM, the order of toxicity being DCVC>TCVC>TFEC=CDFEC. The inclusion of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA; 250 microM), an inhibitor of pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes such as C-S lyase, afforded protection, indicating that C-S lyase has a role in the bioactivation of these conjugates. In HPT cultures only DCVC caused significant time- and dose-dependent toxicity. Exposure to DCVC (500 microM) for 48 h decreased cell viability to 7% of control cell values, whereas co-incubation of DCVC (500 microM) with AOAA (250 microM) resulted in cell viability of 71%. Human cultures were also exposed to S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-glutathione (DCVG). DCVG was toxic to HPT cells, but the onset of toxicity was delayed compared with the corresponding cysteine conjugate. AOAA afforded almost complete protection from DCVG toxicity. Acivicin (250 microM), an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), partially protected against DCVG (500 microM)-induced toxicity at 48 h (5% viability and 53% viability in the absence and presence of acivicin, respectively). These results suggest that DCVG requires processing by gamma-GT prior to bioactivation by C-S lyase in HPT cells. The activity of C-S lyase, using TFEC as a substrate, and glutamine transaminase K (GTK) was measured in rat and human cells with time in culture. C-S lyase activity in RPT and HPT cells decreased to approximately 30% of fresh cell values by the time the cells reached confluence (120 h), whereas the decline in GTK activity was less marked (50% of the fresh cell values at confluence). Rat cells had threefold higher activity than human cells at each time point. This higher activity may partly explain the differences in toxicity between rat and human proximal tubular cells in culture.     

Experimental evidence for toxic damage induced by a dimeric anthracenone: diast T-514 (peroxisomicine A2)

Dimeric anthracenones obtained from the genus Karwinskia (Rhamnaceae) are characteristic compounds isolated from the plants of this species. Previous toxicity studies demonstrated Diast T-514 to be toxic to animals in experimental settings. Diast T-514 extracted and characterized from Karwinskia parvifolia, was studied in CD1 mice. The LD₅₀ for this compound was determined. Animals were testedwith Diast T-514 following enteral and parenteral administration. An LD₅₀ dose by both oral and intraperitoneal administration showed selective damage to target organs.     

Morphological and microarray analysis of T-2 toxin-induced rat fetal brain lesion.

To examine morphological and gene expression changes induced by T-2 toxin in the fetal brain in detail, pregnant rats on day 13 of gestation were treated orally with a single dose of T-2 toxin (2 mg/kg) and sacrificed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h after treatment (HAT). Histopathologically, the number of apoptotic neuroepithelial cells in the telencephalon increased from 1 HAT and peaked at 12 HAT. Based on the histopathological examinations, microarray analysis was performed at 6, 12 and 24 HAT. Microarray analysis showed that the expression of oxidative stress-related genes (heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and heme oxygenase (HO)) was strongly induced by T-2 toxin at 12 HAT, the peak time point of apoptosis induction. The expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related genes (MEKK1 and c-jun) and other apoptosis-related genes (caspase-2 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGF-BP3)) was also induced by the T-2 toxin treatment. The changes observed by microarray analysis were confirmed for four up-regulated genes (HSP70, HO, IGF-BP3 and VEGF-A) using real-time RT-PCR. Our results suggest that the T-2 toxin-induced apoptosis in the fetal brain is due to oxidative stress, and that the MAPK pathway may be involved in T-2 toxin-induced toxicity.     

Bgugaine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid from Arisarum vulgare, is a strong hepatotoxin in rat and human liver cell cultures

Toxicity of bgugaine, a pyrrolidine alkaloid extracted from the tubers of Arisarum vulgare, was studied in three different liver cell culture models: (1) the rat hepatocyte primary culture; (2) a liver epithelial cell line; and (3) the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by LDH release, MTT reduction and MDA production. DNA fragmentation was analysed by flow cytometry or DNA gel-electrophoresis. In hepatocyte and epithelial cell cultures, drug toxicity appeared at 30 microM and was evaluated by an increase in LDH release, a decrease in MTT reduction and a higher level of MDA production. Bgugaine concentrations lower than 30 microM did not induce changes in these parameters. In HepG2 cells, bgugaine treatment also induced LDH release at concentrations of 40 and 50 microM. DNA fragmentation, analysed in the HepG2 cell line by flow cytometry, was observed in cultures exposed to 50 microM bgugaine. However, using DNA gel-electrophoresis, we demonstrated that lower bgugaine concentrations (10, 20 and 30 microM) also induced DNA damage. Our results show that: (1) bgugaine induces an important hepatotoxicity; (2) bgugaine toxicity is not mediated by a metabolic derivative; and (3) bgugaine induces a significant DNA damage. Therefore, our data suggest that the alkaloid bgugaine contained in Arisarum vulgarae may be involved in the toxicologic symptoms observed after consumption of this plant tubers by humans and animals.     

T-2 toxin immunotoxicity on human B and T lymphoid cell lines

T-2 toxin belongs to a group of mycotoxins synthesized by Fusarium fungi that are widely encountered as natural contaminants in cereals. Human lymphoid cell lines of T (MOLT-4) or B (IM-9) lineage were used to characterize the cytotoxic effects mediated by T-2 at different concentrations (0.1 pg/ml to 1 microg/ml). After 24 h, membrane damage was observed by Trypan blue dye exclusion in IM-9 cells with a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of 0.2 ng/ml, whereas CC50 for MOLT-4 cells was 0.6 microg/ml (gmicro). At a T-2 concentration of 0.01 microg/ml, apoptosis was seen in MOLT-4 cells by Annexin V binding as early as after 4 h. T-2 toxin determined sustained (48 h) immunosuppression on both cell lines, as evaluated by BrdU and MTT assays. Cytotoxicity appeared to be due to early apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells, as indicated by increased Annexin V binding and activation of caspase-3, and to direct cell membrane damage in IM-9 cells.     

Cytotoxic effect of ciprofloxacin in primary culture of rat astrocytes and protection by Vitamin E

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible cytotoxic and oxidative stress inducing effects of ciprofloxacin (CPFX) on primary cultures of rat astrocytes. The cultured cells were incubated with various concentrations of CPFX (0.5-300mg/l), and cytotoxicity was determined by neutral red (NR) and MTT assays. Survival profile of cells was biphasic in NR assay: CPFX did not cause any alteration at any concentration for 7h, whereas < or =50mg/l concentrations induced significant cell proliferation in incubation periods of 24, 48, 72, and 96h. However, cell proliferation gradually decreased at higher concentrations, and 200 and 300mg/l of CPFX exposure was found to be significantly (p<0.05) cytotoxic at all time periods. With MTT assay, no alteration was noted for incubation period of 7h, as observed with NR assay. But, cell viability decreased with approximately > or =50mg/l CPFX exposure in all other time periods. Cell proliferation was only seen in 24h of incubation with 0.5 and 5mg/l CPFX. Vitamin E pretreatment of cell cultures were found to be providing complete protection against cytotoxicity of 300mg/l CPFX in 96h incubation when measured with both NR and MTT assays. The SOD pretreatment was partially protective with NR assay, but no protection was noted when measured with MTT. A significant enhancement of lipid peroxidation was observed with the cytotoxic concentration of the drug, but total glutathione content and catalase activity of cells did not change. The data obtained in this study suggest that, in accordance with our previous results with fibroblast cells, CPFX-induced cytotoxicity is related to oxidative stress. And the biphasic effect of CPFX possibly resulted from the complex dose-dependent relationships between reactive oxygen species, cell proliferation, and cell viability.     

Delayed Toxicity of Benzalkonium Chloride and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Evaluated in Primary Cultures of Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells

This investigation used primary cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells as an experimental model to evaluate the delayed ocular toxicity of benzalkonium chloride (B₂Cl) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Initial cytotoxicity was determined after a 1-h treatment, and delayed toxicity was evaluated 2,4, and 24 h after removal of the compounds using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage into the medium and propidium iodide (PI) staining of the nucleus of the cells as markers of cellular membrane integrity. Both LDH leakage and PI staining indicated that BzCl produced minimal damage after the initial treatment but showed delayed toxicity up to 2 h after removal of the compound. There was little damage observed during the time interval of 2–24 h postexposure. In contrast, SDS caused extensive damage during initial exposure, but produced minimal increases of LDH leakage or PI staining during the postexposure periods. Reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) by mitochondrial dehydrogenases of viable cells was determined immediately after the 1-h treatment. Twenty-four hours after the 1-h treatment with surfactants, cells were per-meabilized with digitonin, and total cellular PI staining was determined for all treatments as a relative measure of number of cells left in the culture wells. The cytotoxicity predicted from MTT reduction and total cellular PI staining was similar even though they were conducted at different times and based on different end points. We conclude that in vitro cytotoxicity assays using primary cultures of rabbit corneal epithelial cells may be used to investigate the delayed toxicity of compounds in ocular tissues. Both the lactate dehydrogenase leakage test and the propidium iodide cytotoxicity test were able to assess the detailed time-response of delayed toxicity.     

The combined effects of cocaine and amphetamine on primary postnatal rat heart cell cultures

Recent reports demonstrated that perinatal exposure to cocaine (Coc) and amphetamines (Amph) predisposed the infant to adverse cardiovascular consequences. Dose- and time-dependent effects of Coc and Amph on postnatal rat myocardial cell cultures are described. Contractile activity, morphology, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, MTT formazan production, and neutral red (NR) retention were determined. No contractile activity was observed in cultures treated with the highest drug doses. After 24 h, the percentage of areas exhibiting contractile activity was decreased in cultures exposed to the lowest doses of both drugs. When Coc and Amph were combined, beating rates were significantly altered. Morphologic alterations were observed in all treatment groups. LDH release occurred in cultures exposed to the highest doses of both drugs. No significant differences were observed for MTT or NR. These data demonstrate that Coc and Amph doses ≥ 1 × 10⁻⁵M induce adverse effects on morphology and contractile activity of postnatal myocardial cell cultures.     

Cytoprotection and iron mobilization in rat hepatocyte cultures by a new synthetic dihydroxamate chelator

The cytoprotection and iron mobilization effect of a new dihydroxamate chelator 1,1 bis [(11-N-hydroxy)-2,5,11-triaza-1,6,10-trioxo dodecanyl] ethane or KD was studied in primary rat hepatocyte cultures exposed to iron-citrate. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and malondialdehyde (MDA) production were measured as indexes of cytotoxicity. Cell viability was evaluated using the [3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl) 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) reduction test. To demonstrate that this chelator was able to decrease iron uptake or increase iron release from the hepatocytes, labelled cells were obtained by maintaining the cultures in the presence of 0.02 microM 55Fe-citrate. The efficacy of KD was compared to desferrioxamine B (DFO) at stoechiometry concentrations. After 24 h of exposure to 50 microM of iron-citrate, a significant release of LDH and MDA was observed. Cell viability was also significantly decreased. When 100 microM of KD were added at the same time as iron, LDH and MDA release was decreased and cell viability was improved. In the presence of the same chelator concentration, a net decrease of iron uptake by the cells was observed as attested by the low intracellular 55Fe level. Moreover, in the 55Fe loaded hepatocytes, the chelator increased the iron extracellular level indicating its iron release effect from the cells. In all tested experimental conditions, the efficacy of 100 microM of the dihydroxamate chelator KD was close to that of 50 microM of the trihydroxamate chelator DFO. In conclusion, KD is effective at a level comparable to DFO in protecting rat hepatocytes against the toxic effect of iron-citrate by decreasing the uptake of the metal and increasing its release from the cells. This synthetic compound appears to have some potential therapeutical interest and the results obtained encourage the synthesis of new hydroxamate ligands.     

Trimethyltin reduces ATP levels and MTT reduction in the LRM55 rat astrocytoma cell line

The LRM55 rat astrocytoma cell line was used to study the time and concentration effects of trimethyltin (TMT) exposure on intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, formazan production from (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. TMT concentrations of > or =50 microM produced a delayed increase in extracellular LDH from approximately 20% at 24 h to almost 70%, at 72 h. Twenty-four hours before cell lysis was detectable ATP levels decreased to less than 30% and formazan production declined to 70% (50 microM), 31% (100 microM), and 21% (200 microM) of control values. Concentrations of TMT (5 and 10 microM) that produced little or no LDH release also decreased ATP levels (62 and 49% of control, respectively) and formazan production (63 and 52% of control, respectively) by 48 h. These data support the hypothesis that TMT exposure interferes with energy production and that this event likely contributes to the delayed cell death seen in this cell line. Moreover, the declines in ATP and formazan production can occur at subtoxic concentrations in LRM55 cells.     

In vitro cytotoxicity assays: comparison of LDH, neutral red, MTT and protein assay in hepatoma cell lines following exposure to cadmium chloride

The aim of this study was to compare four in vitro cytotoxicity assays and determine their ability to detect early cytotoxic events. Two hepatoma cell lines, namely HTC and HepG2 cells, were exposed to cadmium chloride (0-300 microM) for 3, 5 and 8 h. Following exposure to the toxic metal cytotoxicity was determined with the lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay (LDH), a protein assay, the neutral red assay and the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. In HTC cells no toxicity was observed for any incubation period when the LDH leakage, the MTT and the protein assay were employed whereas the neutral red assay revealed early cytotoxicity starting after incubation of HTC cells with CdCl(2) for 3 h. In the case of HepG2 cells the MTT assay reveals cytotoxicity due to CdCl(2) exposure after 3 h whereas no such effect is seen with the other three assays. Following 5 h exposure of HepG2 cells to CdCl(2), toxicity is observed with the MTT assay at lower concentrations compared to the ones required for detection of toxicity with the LDH leakage and the neutral red assay. In conclusion different sensitivity was observed for each assay with the neutral red and the MTT assay being the most sensitive in detecting cytotoxic events compared to the LDH leakage and the protein assay.