RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SURFACE-ACTIVITY AND TOXICITY TO CHANG LIVER CULTURES OF TRICYCLIC ANTI-DEPRESSANTS

Chang liver cell cultures were exposed to the tricyclic antidepressants, chlorimipra-mine (CIM), nortriptyline (NT), amitriptyline (AT), imipramine (IM), and doxepin (DOX). Loss of enzymes into surrounding media and cytopathic changes were used to quantitate cytotoxicity. Time-and concentration-related cytotoxic effects were evident for all drugs. The order of cytotoxic potency was CIM > NT > AT > IM > DOX. All tricyclic antidepressants tested lowered the surface tension of the salt solution contained in the tissue culture media and the order of their surface activity was identical to that of their cytotoxicity. It is postulated that the cellular toxicity induced by tricyclic antidepressants in vitro is related to a function of their surface activity. © 1979 S. Karger AG, Basel.