The comparative study of cardiovascular toxins utilizing a sensitive indicator of sublethal toxic injury

This study measures the inhibition of [3H]uridine uptake by smooth muscle cells to determine sublethal toxic injury by the cardiovascular toxins, allylamine, isoproterenol, and beta-aminopropionitrile. The exposure period or the concentration of toxin which inhibited 30% of [3H]uridine uptake by smooth muscle cells could be utilized as an endpoint for ranking toxicity. Cytotoxicity of the three toxins to smooth muscle cells were ranked as: allylamine greater than isoproterenol greater than beta-aminopropionitrile. Recovery of cells utilizing [3H]uridine uptake inhibition as a method for assessing comparative cytotoxicity and for screening of agents potentially injurious to vascular cells.