A tissue culture assay for tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin and related toxins

In vitro detection of cardiotoxins or neurotoxins affecting ion channels or pumps using beating cardiomyocytes as alternative for animal testing

“…STX or TTX had no effect on cell viability of neuro-2a cells without addition of ouabain/veratridine. However, neuro-2a cells swell and eventually lyse upon exposure to a combination of ouabain/veratridine that enhances sodium influx [35]. The Na + channel blocker STX has been shown to protect neuro-2a cells from the action of ouabain/veratridine [14].…”

A fast fluorimetric assay (FFA) for the detection of saxitoxin in natural phytoplankton samples

“…Until now, this method has only been applied to the examination of shellfish samples, and in recent years has been replaced by more sensitive methods like HPLC (Sullivan et al 1985), the MNB-test (Kogure et al 1988), and ELISA (Chu & Fan 1985) or a receptor assay (Vieytes et al 1993). All these methods have the advantage of high sensitivity, but they also have the disadvantages of being labour-intensive, expensive and time-consuming.…”

“…Despite its simplicity, the method has never been applied to plankton samples or dinoflagellate cultures. In recent years, more sensitive or detailed methods like HPLC (Sullivan et al 1985), the MNB (Mouse Neuroblastoma)-test (Kogure et al 1988), an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assy; Chu & Fan 1985) or a receptor assay (Vieytes et al 1993) have replaced the fluorimetric assay. Nevertheless, a simple, cheap and fast detection method for saxitoxin is needed, especially for ecological studies of bloom dynamics of toxic Alexandrium species.…”

Regulations for marine microalgal toxins: towards harmonization of methods and limits

“…Concerning public health protection, functional assays based on the biological action of the toxins are preferred. Neuroblastoma assays (Kogure et al 1989, Gallacher and Birkbeck 1992, Jellet et al 1992 seem to be among the most promising, and after refinement and extensive validation might replace the mouse bioassay. Receptor binding assays (Davio andFontelo 1984, Vieytes et al 1993) may also be good techniques, if radio-labelled compounds can be replaced by chemiluminiscent or fluorescent compounds.…”