Introduction
Toxicity is a complex event in vivo and exhibits a wide spectrum of effects from cell death to metabolic aberrations, which result in functional changes in cells rather than death.
A. Assays based on cell viability and cell survival
Traditionally, Cytotoxicity assays have been based on indices of cell viability and survival. Viability is an instantaneous parameter thought to be predicted of survival.
Cytotoxicity assays can be divided into three groups:
1. Those that infer viability by determination of a change in membrane permeability or metabolism.
2. Those that determine viability trough absolute long-term survival, as quantified by the capacity to regenerate (Clonogenicity.)
3. Those that determine survival in an altered state by expressing a generic mutation or malignant transformation.
Viability assays
Viability assays include:
Dye exclusion methods.
Dye uptake methods.
Fluorescent methods.
Dye release methods.
Dye exclusion methods: (more…)