MTT assay for cytotoxicity studies? - (Mar/10/2011 )
Hi All
Im currently using the MTT assay to determine the effect our compounds have on some cancer cell lines.
However if the MTT is metabolised by cells to give the characteristic purple forazan how do i know if these compounds are cytotoxic (as in kill the cells)so less formazan is produced or that our compounds just slows the cells down metabolically , so the cells are still alive but just metabolising much slower.
Can i infere from the MTT assay that our compounds are cytotoxic?
cheers
I do not know what you do you think what the term "cytotoxic" means 
cytotoxicity of a compound affects vitality of cells and depends on its concentration; if cells are metabolizing slower after application of a compound this compound is cytotoxic
bonchem on Thu Mar 10 10:14:49 2011 said:
Hi All
Im currently using the MTT assay to determine the effect our compounds have on some cancer cell lines.
However if the MTT is metabolised by cells to give the characteristic purple forazan how do i know if these compounds are cytotoxic (as in kill the cells)so less formazan is produced or that our compounds just slows the cells down metabolically , so the cells are still alive but just metabolising much slower.
Can i infere from the MTT assay that our compounds are cytotoxic?
cheers