The Action of the Pulsed Electric Field of the Subnanosecond Range on Human Tumor Cells

Bioelectromagnetics. 2022 Jul;43(5):327-335. doi: 10.1002/bem.22408. Epub 2022 May 10.

Abstract

The action of the pulsed electric field of the subnanosecond range on Jurkat, HEK 293, and U-87 MG human cell lines was studied. The cells were treated in a waveguide in 0.18 ml electrodeless Teflon cuvettes. The electric field strength in the cell culture medium was ~2 kV/cm, the pulse duration was ~1 ns, the leading edge was 150 ps, the frequency was 100 Hz, and the treatment time was 5 min. According to estimates, the change of the transmembrane potential during the pulse was ~20 mV and we assume that it was insufficient for electroporation. Jurkat and HEK 293 cells appeared to be more resistant to the treatment than U-87 MG cells. We have observed that the impulses with the above-mentioned parameters can cause a noticeable change in the mitochondrial activity of U-87 MG cells. © 2022 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Keywords: oligomycin; subnanosecond pulsed electric field; tumor cells treatment; waveguide.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Count
  • Electricity*
  • Electroporation*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Potentials