A comparison of two cytotoxicity tests for predicting the ocular irritancy of surfactants

Abstract

In vivo rabbit eye tests have attracted criticism on both scientific and ethical grounds. Consequently, there is a need to develop new approaches that still provide the necessary information on eye irritation hazard but that minimize or even avoid the use of whole laboratory animals. Cytotoxicity models have been used to predict the ocular irritancy of surfactants, since this class of chemicals has an essentially common action on cell membranes which involves membrane disruption. The aim of the present studies was to compare the predictive ability of two in vitro cytotoxicity tests, the K562 and the red blood cell lysis tests, in the assessment of the in vivo eye irritancy of surfactants. The results of these studies on 14 selected surfactant materials showed that the K562 assay was only modestly predictive of the in vivo response, with a specificity of 86% but a sensitivity of only 57%. In contrast, the red blood cell lysis test was more predictive, correctly identifying all irritants tested. In addition, all non-irritant surfactants examined were predicted and a high (89%) ability to rank irritant effect was demonstrated. The red blood cell lysis test could be a powerful addition to a testing strategy or pre-screen for the evaluation of surfactant chemicals.

Alkyl Ethoxylated and Alkylphenol Ethoxylated Nonionic Surfactants: Interaction with Bioactive Compounds and Biological Effects

“…A study comparing two cytotoxicity tests for predicting ocular irritancy established that the red blood cell lysis test was predictive. Surfactants caused membrane disruption; anionic and cationic surfactants were more toxic than nonionic ones (121). Polyethoxylated nonionic surfactants inhibit the transport of 2,4-dinitrophenyl glutathione out of intact human erythrocytes.…”

Skin irritation potential of cosmetic preservatives: An exposure‐relevant study

“…Wilhelm et al found a significant correlation between the in vitro keratinocyte cytotoxicity model and the extent of in vivo irritant dermatitis. 32 We compared the cytotoxicity of the five preservatives on NHEKs by calculating the concentrations resulting in 50% inhibition of cell viability ( 33 Within the test preservatives, only propylparaben at the regulatory acceptable concentration generated the hemolysis of erythrocytes ( Figure 2). This might explain the mechanism by which propylparaben exhibited the highest IS in the patch test.…”

Soaps and Detergents: Alternatives to Animal Eye Irritation Tests

“…Nonionic detergents produced only hemolytic activity. The (rabbit) erythrocyte lysis assay was compared with another in vitro assay, K562 cell culture (viability), and with historical Draize eye irritation test scores in a study conducted by Lewis et al (1993). The red blood cells were exposed to lo-* and lop6 M concentrations of 14 selected surfactants.…”