2.5. Determination of cell viability in primary cultures of rat hepatocyte
2.5.1. MTT assay
MTT assay is based on the ability of viable cells to reduce MTT from a yellow water-soluble dye to a dark blue insoluble formazan product (Mossmann, 1983). In brief, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a concentration of 5 mg/ml and added to the cell culture to the final concentration of 100 μl/ml. After 1 h, medium was removed and the remaining MTT crystals were dissolved in 100 μl DMSO. Optical density was assessed using a microplate reader at 570/620 nm.