title: Comparison of the neutral red and methylene blue assays to study cell growth in culture.
abstract: The neutral red and methylene blue in vitro cytotoxicity assays were compared under a variety of conditions using normal human ovarian epithelial cells to determine whether either assay is superior for studying cell growth. The results were standardized against a DNA spectrofluorometric assay. Although the assays were equivalent in reflecting cell number, each has specific advantages: while neutral red discriminates between viable and dead cells, the methylene blue assay is more sensitive and easier to perform.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Auersperg
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue; D009499:Neutral Red; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; D009499:Neutral Red; D004247:DNA; C022616:thiazolyl blue; D008751:Methylene Blue