Cytotoxicity analysis of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes by colorimetric assays

A new methodology to evaluate the acute cytotoxicity of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube (VACNT) scaffolds was presented. A comparison between three different colorimetric assays was performed: (i) lactate dehydrogenase, (ii) 2-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-3,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, and (iii) neutral red. The results confirmed that a simple removing of VACNT scaffolds from the cell culture before the colorimetric assays, is necessary to obtain a high level of cell viability.