Effects of nano-second pulsed electric fields on human breast cancer cell line-MCF7

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 have been investigated for changes in cell number, DNA concentration, DNA synthesis rate, and 11[lowercase beta]HSD2 enzyme activity. Pulse trains of ten 32.5 kV/cm, 60 ns pulses, generated by means of a specific pulse-forming network, were applied to a pair of electrodes in electroporation cuvettes through a spark-gap switch. The experimental results show a 20% increase in cell death for treated cells, one hour after pulsing and before reculturing, with a 60% decrease in DNA concentration. Our results also indicate a 19% inhibition rate of the 11[lowercase beta]HSD2 enzyme activity in treated MCF-7 cells seven days following exposure. This spares the endogenous glucocorticoids from both degradation (apoptosis) and inactivation, a fact that is herein demonstrated for the first time.