Use of the MTT assay in adult ventricular cardiomyocytes to assess viability: effects of adenosine and potassium on cellular survival.
J Mol Cell Cardiol 1997;
29:1255-66. [PMID:
9160877 DOI:
10.1006/jmcc.1996.0363]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study used the colorimetric MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide)] assay to assess cell viability in isolated quiescent adult guinea-pig ventricular myocytes exposed to different insults or cardioprotective conditions, including adenosine and hyperkalemic-cardioplegia. Optical density (OD), reflecting intracellular reduction of MTT into formazan pigment formation, was a function of the number of viable cells (coefficient of linear correlation approximately 0.99), with MTT reduction preferentially carried out by rod-shaped cardiomyocytes (absorbance at 1.009 +/- 0.013 and 0.006 +/- 0.001 OD units for populations containing 50 and 0% of rod-shaped cells). Following prolonged mechanical (pressure of 1 lb/min for 40 min), chemical (10% DMSO or ethanol) or hypoxic injury (N2-saturated solution), the MTT reductase activity reflected reduction in the number of viable cells by 87%, >50%, and 77%, respectively. In cardiomyocytes exposed to a 40 min hypoxia (with CO2), the MTT reductase activity was 0.056 +/- 0.009 in the absence, and 0.074 +/- 0.008 OD units in the presence of adenosine (1 mM), i.e. adenosine reduced the number of non-viable cells. Also, the MTT assay revealed that the effect of potassium-containing solutions (16 and 32 mM K+) on cellular viability may depend on the extent of insult imposed on cardiomyocytes; i.e. a approximately 24% and 49% increase under mild hypoxia (0.03% CO2), or an 18% decrease in cell viability under severe hypoxia (N2) in pre-injured cells. Thus, the MTT assay used to assess viability of isolated adult cardiomyocytes revealed a direct cytoprotective effect of adenosine and hyperkalemic-cardioplegia by promoting cell survival under certain conditions in vitro.
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