Effects of toxic chemicals on the respiratory activity of cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells.

Twenty common toxic chemicals were tested for their ability to inhibit respiratory activity in cultured mouse neuroblastoma C1300 cells, clone 41A3. Pentachlorophenol and hexachlorophene exhibited the properties of uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, whereas for KCN, pyridine, 2,5-hexandione, NaAsO2, K2Cr2O7, HgCl2, methylmercury and triethyltin more simple time-courses of inhibition were obtained. Ethanol, methanol, dimethyl sulphoxide, benzidine, nickel acetate, MnCl2, phenol, CoCl2, Na2SeO3 and CdCl2 did not cause any significant changes in respiratory activity. Among the effective compounds, those with well-known neurotoxic properties were the most potent in inhibiting respiration in 41A3 cells.