Determination of membrane-stabilizing potency of drugs by video analysis of protozoan motility.
A technique has been developed to measure the swimming speed of a ciliated protozoon (Tetrahymena pyriformis) and the effects of drugs upon it, using computerized video image analysis. Among 22 drugs tested, protozoon-immobilizing potency was associated with either their lipophilicity or their known membrane-stabilizing potency or both. There is evidence that membrane-stabilizing activity (MSA) is a significant cause of fatal human poisoning, and measurement of the acute effects of various drugs in vitro (putatively due to their MSA) may be used to predict their potential hazard in acute overdose. This in vitro assay using readily available and maintainable eukaryotic cells provides a good measure of the membrane-stabilizing potency of chemicals, and may serve to identify particularly hazardous drugs and other agents.
Cassidy
S L
SL
National Poisons Unit, New Cross Hospital, Avonley Road, London SE14 5ER England.
Henry
J A
JA
Roberts
A M
AM