Comparison of cytotoxicity of various surfactants tested on normal human fibroblast cultures using the neutral red test, MTT assay and LDH release

J Appl Toxicol. 1999 May-Jun;19(3):163-5. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1263(199905/06)19:3<163::aid-jat561>3.0.co;2-h.

Abstract

We used the neutral red test, MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release to compare the potential cytotoxicity of six surfactants belonging to different classes--three non-ionic surfactants (Triton x100, octylphenoxypolyethoxy alcohol, from Orion; Tween 60, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, from ICI Speciality Chemicals; Tween 80, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, from Labosi), two anionic surfactants (Texapon K1298, sodium lauryl sulphate, from Henkel; Texapon N40, sodium laurylether sulphate, from Henkel) and one cationic surfactant (benzethonium chloride, from Siber Hegner)--on human fibroblast cultures. According to the LC50 (microg ml(-1)), the tested surfactants can be classified in the following order of increasing cytotoxicity: Tween 80 < Texapon N40 < Tween 60 < Texapon K1298 < Triton x100 < benzethonium chloride.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Benzethonium / toxicity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*
  • Neutral Red / metabolism*
  • Octoxynol / toxicity
  • Polysorbates / toxicity
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / toxicity
  • Surface-Active Agents / toxicity*
  • Tetrazolium Salts / metabolism*
  • Thiazoles / metabolism
  • Toxicity Tests

Substances

  • Polysorbates
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • Texapon
  • Benzethonium
  • Neutral Red
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
  • Octoxynol
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase