Sodium monochloroacetate causes cytotoxic effects, an increased lactate and pyruvate level and induces ultra structural and cytoskeletal alterations in cultured kidney and liver epithelial cells.

1 Monochloroacetic acid (MCAA) and its sodium salt, sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA) are widely used in chemical industries as intermediates in the synthesis of carboxymethylcellulose, phenoxyacetic acid, thio-glycolic acid, glycine, indigoid dyes and others. More-over, MCAA has been found as a by-product of the chlorination disinfection of drinking water and as an environmental contaminant of the atmosphere from the photodechlorination reactions of chlorinated hydrocarbons. Little is known about the mode of action of both compounds on the cellular level. From cases of accidental poisoning of man it is known that MCAA accumulates in liver and kidney.2 In this study, the cytotoxicity of SMCA on cultured liver (Chang liver cells) and kidney epithelial cells of the proximal tubule (Opossum kidney cells) was investigated and its effect on metabolism, ultrastruc-ture and organization of cytoskeleton was examined.3 Independent from the growth state of the cells (proliferating or quiescent), the results clearly s...