Correlation between the reduction of protein content in cultured FHM fish cells and fish lethality data

The reduction of total protein content in a fish-derived cell line was investigated as an alternative method for the assessment of some ecotoxicological properties of compounds. The 25 chemicals tested included various inorganic compounds and organic compounds such as alcohols, acids, ketones, etc. The xenobiotics were applied at different concentrations to cultured fathead minnow (FHM) fish cells. After 2 hr contact time the reduction of the total protein content was measured. The results are quantified by the PI(50) value, which is the concentration of test compound required to induce a 50% reduction in total protein content. The PI(50) values were compared with fish lethality data (LC(50)) obtained in golden orfe and a correlation coefficient (r = 0.90) was found. The reducton in total protein content in FHM fish cell cultures correlates very well with lethality data determined on fish, is easy to perform, and can be considered as a good alternative in vitro assay for ecotoxicity testing of a wide variety of chemicals.