MTT assay - proliferation, viability or what? (Nov/26/2006 )
hi you all,
can anyone explain me how the mtt assay gives info about proliferation or viability?
If formazan is formed by the reduction of the tetrazolium salt in the mitochondria, cytoplasm and other organelles, doesen't it tell you about the redox state of the cell?
thanx in advance!
-sudaca-
QUOTE (sudaca @ Nov 26 2006, 03:53 PM)
If formazan is formed by the reduction of the tetrazolium salt in the mitochondria, cytoplasm and other organelles, doesen't it tell you about the redox state of the cell?
That's why some results may be altered expecially if you use an antioxidant in your experiment. Use another cell viability assay (like as LDH leakeage) to confirm MTT test
-Francesco-
Thanks you a lot for your answer!
I measured LDH release and there isn't an increase in my treated cells. In contrast, there's a significant decrease in MTT reduction.
Maybe it's because I'm working with astrocytes; which are exteremely resistant to death.
Does my results mean that the cells are harmed but no dead?
-sudaca-
QUOTE (sudaca @ Nov 27 2006, 10:03 PM)
Thanks you a lot for your answer!
I measured LDH release and there isn't an increase in my treated cells. In contrast, there's a significant decrease in MTT reduction.
Maybe it's because I'm working with astrocytes; which are exteremely resistant to death.
Does my results mean that the cells are harmed but no dead?
I measured LDH release and there isn't an increase in my treated cells. In contrast, there's a significant decrease in MTT reduction.
Maybe it's because I'm working with astrocytes; which are exteremely resistant to death.
Does my results mean that the cells are harmed but no dead?
Can you make a trypan blue test? in this case you can see if your cells are dead or not.
-Francesco-