Pericellular pO₂ as an alternative method to test cytotoxicity

Pericellular pO₂ (p(pc)O₂) was compared with the release of cytoplasmatic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and mitochondrial metabolic function (tetrazolium salt reduction, MTT) as an alternative method to evaluate cytotoxicity. L-929 cells were seeded and incubated with 3 different control materials to test their cytotoxicity effects by these methods. High density polyethylene and copper were respectively used as negative and positive controls, while a 0.9% NaCl solution was as reagent control and extraction vehicle. P(pc)O₂ was measured by a rod polarographic Clark-type probe connected to Licox pO₂ computer (GMS mbH, Kiel, Germany). One-way ANOVA test showed significant differences among groups regarding every methods (p <0.0005). The comparison of the mean variation coefficients of three methods showed no significant differences. In addition, a significant correlation was found between p(pc)O₂ and MTT (r = -0.621; p <0.001) as well as p(pc)O₂ and LDH data (r = 0.474; p <0.001). In conclusion, p(pc)O₂ may be considered a reliable, safely and alternative method to test cytotoxicity.