The effect of surfactants upon mammalian cells in vitro

Abstract

A series of highly pure surfactants were examined in vitro for their capacity to inhibit DNA synthesis in guinea-pig kidney fibroblasts, to release histamine from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells, and to effect the cytolytic release of cytoplasmic proteins from guinea-pig kidney fibroblasts. The surfactants studied included a homologous series of carboxylic acid sodium soaps of chain length C 8-C 16 and a series of chain length C 12 with different chemical head groups. Of the carboxylic acid soaps, sodium laurate (chain length C 12) was more potent at inhibiting DNA synthesis, at releasing histamine and at lysing fibroblasts than either the higher or lower homologues. Exchange of the carboxylic acid head group on the alkyl chain for a sulphate or isethionate moiety increased the potency of the surfactant and introducing three or six ethoxy groups further increased the potency to living cells.