Fig. 7. A proposed model of non-specific reduction of MTT in comparison with WST-8 in ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in glioblastoma. The left diagram illustrates the reduction of MTT and WST-8 in normal condition in glioblastoma cells. MTT is non-soluble and hydrophobic, and penetrates into cells and reacts with the mitochondrial electron transport chain. WST-8 is water-soluble and hydrophilic, and reacts with the trans-plasma membrane electron transport located in the cell membrane. WST-8 links intracellular metabolism with the extracellular electron acceptor. However, as shown on the right diagram, exposure to high concentrations of ethanol would cause damage to the cell membranes and an increase in the intracellular concentration of NADH. The environment generated by exposure to ethanol would increase the nonspecific reduction of MTT by increasing the opportunity to respond. However, WST-8 is reduced only through the trans-plasma membrane electron transport. Therefore, WST-8 would not react with an ethanol-induced environment, and therefore, the NADH concentration would not be increased.
© Exp Neurobiol
