Some derivatives of polyvinylpyridine 1-oxides and their effect on the cytotoxicity of quartz in macrophage cultures.

1. Poly(2-vinylpyridine 1-oxide) counteracts the pathogenic effects normally produced when quartz is injected into or inhaled by animals and the cytotoxic effects when quartz is added to macrophage cultures. The protective action of this polymer has been attributed variously to the formation of an adsorbed layer on the quartz particles, complex formation with monosilicic acid produced by the dissolution of quartz, and strengthening of the membranes or microstructures of the cells.2. Stereoregular forms of poly(2-vinylpyridine 1-oxide), some alkyl derivatives of poly(2-vinylpyridine 1-oxide), poly(3-vinylpyridine 1-oxide) and poly(4-vinylpyridine 1-oxide), a copolymer of 2-vinylpyridine 1-oxide and 2-n-propenylpyridine 1-oxide, some poly(1-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium) quaternary salts, and poly(1-methoxy-2-vinylpyridinium iodide), which had previously been synthesized and studied with respect to their viscosities and interaction with silicic acid, were tested for their ability to counteract the cytotoxic effects of quartz in macrophage cultures. The tests were effected both by pretreating the quartz with polymers, and by pretreating the cells.3. Every polymer proved active in one or other of these conditions, but several were active in one test but inactive in the other. Some polymer quaternary salts, which do not contain the N-oxide group, were found to be active. A remarkable difference in activity was found between the two stereoregular forms of poly(2-vinylpyridine 1-oxide). Pretreatment of the quartz with some of the polymers increased its cytotoxicity significantly.4. Most of the results could be interpreted on the hypothesis that the polymers form an adsorbed layer on the quartz surface, but it is difficult to apply this explanation to two polymers which are inactive when used to pretreat the macrophages but are active when adsorbed on quartz.