CYTOTOXICITY OF SPIN-TRAPPING COMPOUNDS

Spin trapping compounds are used frequently to detect free radicals re leased by cells. Their cytotoxicity has to be considered in order to p revent perturbations of normal cell growth and viability. Eleven spin traps (eight nitrones and three nitroso traps) have been tested for th eir effects on bovine aortic endothelial cells (toxicity range, 50% su rvival rate), The lowest cytotoxicity was found for 5,5-dimethylpyrrol ine-1-oxide and 2,2,4-trimethyl-2H-imidazole-1-oxide whereas nitrosobe nzene and 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane exerted the strongest cytotoxic ef fects. In addition, three nitronyl nitroxides mere tested, Their cytot oxicity was found to be dependent on substitution, and the toxic conce ntration of a lipophilic derivative was found to be more than two orde rs lower as compared to a hydrophilic derivative. The results of this study indicate that most spin traps can be used in cell cultures at cu stomary (i.e. millimolar) concentrations; caution is recommended when nitroso spin traps are applied to cells. (C) 1997 Federation of Europe an Biochemical Societies.