3-(4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2h-tetrazolium and 1-5-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-3-((phenylamino)carbonyl)formazan

In order to establish a new more rapid, safe and sensitive colorimetric assay for the proliferation of leukemic cells, MTS/pms has been developed. This automated colorimetric assay is based on the characteristic of viable and metabolically active leukemic cells to cleave MTS/pms into a water-soluble product whose optical density is determined at 492 nm by an automated microtiter-plate reader photometer. The results indicated that only active leukemic cells cleaved MTS/pms into product measured, and dead cells did not reduce MTS/pms. A linear relations hip were found between the viable cell number and optical density of MTS/pms cleaved by HL-60 and K562 cell (r = 0.963). Compared with MTT and INT assays, the reduced product of MTS/pms is water-soluble. It is concluded that MTS/pms colorimetric assay is more rapid, accurate and sensitive for the bioassay of proliferation of leukemic cells.

Topics: Cell Division; Colorimetry; Formazans; HL-60 Cells; Humans; K562 Cells; Leukemia; Methylphenazonium Methosulfate; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles