Pulsed electric fields (PEFs) can be used to transiently increase cell membrane permeability in procedures ranging from gene therapy to tumor eradication. Although very efficient, PEF-based therapies generally require the use of invasive electrodes, which cause pain and tissue damage. An emerging noninvasive, contactless alternative to PEFs are High Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (HI-PEMF), whereby the electric field inside the tissue is induced remotely by external pulsed magnetic field. However, one of the current major drawbacks of HI-PEMFs is their inferior efficiency compared to PEFs. In this study we present the proof-of-concept that by adding highly conductive 5 and 20 nm gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), we can significantly potentiate the permeabilizing effect of HI-PEMFs, making it possible to permeabilize up to 80% of the cells with minimal or no effect on cell survival, compared to negligible percentage of permeabilized cells using HI-PEMF alone. Experiments, conducted on Chinese Hamster Ovary cells and Escherichia coli, suggest that Au NPs act as distributed nanoelectrodes, locally enhancing the electric field induced at the plasma membrane. Our findings open up an avenue of possibilities for combining naked as well as functionalized Au NPs with HI-PEMFs for noninvasive, remotely controlled smart drug delivery applications.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.107440DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

high intensity
8
intensity pulsed
8
pulsed electromagnetic
8
electromagnetic fields
8
distributed nanoelectrodes
8
electric field
8
contactless electroporation
4
electroporation induced
4
induced high
4
pulsed
4

Similar Publications

With enrichment of tetracycline (TC) in ecosystems, its accurate detection has become a major concern. Noble-metal nano-particles have attracted great interest as potential materials for sensing applications because of their remarkable electrical properties and adaptability. Herein, a novel electro-chemical detection technique based on carbon nano-tubes (CNTs) as the support material is developed to detect TC with high precision.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

HIFU induces reprogramming of the tumor immune microenvironment in a pancreatic cancer mouse model.

Med Mol Morphol

January 2025

Faculty of Advanced Techno-Surgery (FATS), Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-Cho, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan.

This study evaluates the effects of different high-intensity focused ultrasound irradiation (HIFU) methods on local tumor suppression and systemic antitumor effects, including the abscopal effect, in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. To ascertain the efficacy of the treatment, pancreatic cancer cells were injected into the thighs of mice and HIFU was applied on one side using continuous waves or trigger pulse waves. Then, tumor volume, tissue changes, and immune marker levels were analyzed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prediction of Radiation Therapy Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity from Pretreatment CT Images in Patients with Thoracic Malignancy via an Optimal Biomarker Approach.

Acad Radiol

January 2025

Medical Image Processing Group, 602 Goddard building, 3710 Hamilton Walk, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (M.L., M.A., J.K.U., Y.T., C.W., N.P., S.M., D.A.T.). Electronic address:

Rationale And Objectives: Cardiovascular toxicity is a well-known complication of thoracic radiation therapy (RT), leading to increased morbidity and mortality, but existing techniques to predict cardiovascular toxicity have limitations. Predictive biomarkers of cardiovascular toxicity may help to maximize patient outcomes.

Methods: The machine learning optimal biomarker (OBM) method was employed to predict development of cardiotoxicity (based on serial echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction and longitudinal strain) from computed tomography (CT) images in patients with thoracic malignancy undergoing RT.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As digestive health issues rise and interest in natural therapies grows, traditional herbs like Cassia Seed are gaining attention for their antioxidant, laxative, and digestive benefits.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to optimize the fermentation conditions of Cassia seed using microbial technology to enhance the content of anthraquinone compounds, thereby augmenting its pharmacological effects, particularly in promoting intestinal peristalsis and alleviating constipation.

Materials And Methods: Fermentation of Cassia Seed was conducted under controlled microbial conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Statin Use is Associated with Decreased Venous Thromboembolism Events Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study.

J Arthroplasty

January 2025

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, 301 E 17th St, New York, NY, USA, 10010. Electronic address:

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and postoperative prophylactic protocols, venous thromboembolism (VTE) events remain an important source of morbidity following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Prior research in cardiology and other surgical fields has suggested that statin medications may have a protective effect against VTE. Our study aimed to: 1) Assess if preoperative statin use was associated with decreased rates of VTE following THA, and 2) conduct a subgroup analysis of statin intensity and VTE events.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!