PERICELLULAR PO(2) AS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD TO TEST CYTOTOXICITY

Pericellular pO(2) (p(pc)O(2)) was compared with the release of cytopl asmatic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial metabolic function (tetrazolium salt reduction, MTT) as an alternative method t o evaluate cytotoxicity. L-929 cells were seeded and incubated with 3 different control materials to test their cytotoxicity effects by thes e methods. High density polyethylene and copper were respectively used as negative and positive controls, while a 0.9% NaCl solution was as reagent control and extraction vehicle. PpcO2 was measured by a rod po larographic Clark-type probe connected to Licox pO(2) computer (GMS mb H, Kiel, Germany), One-way ANOVA test showed significant differences a mong groups regarding every methods (p < 0.0005). The comparison of th e mean variation coefficients of three methods showed no significant d ifferences. In addition, a significant correlation was found between p (pc)O(2) and MTT (r = -0.621; p < 0.001) as well as p(pc)O(2) and LDH data (r = 0.474; p < 0.001). In conclusion, p(pc)O(2) may be considere d a reliable, safely and alternative method to test cytotoxicity.