In vitro cytotoxic activity of lithotripter shock waves combined with adriamycin or with cisplatin on L1210 mouse leukemia cells

Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cisplatin Delivery to Cancer Cells: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are utilized as nanocarriers to enhance the efficiency of chemotherapy drugs, including cisplatin, which exhibit limitations such as side effects and resistance mechanisms. To evaluate the role of MOFs, we employed a molecular dynamics simulation, which, unlike other experiments, is cost-effective, less dangerous, and provides accurate results. Furthermore, we conducted molecular docking simulations to understand the interaction between cisplatin and MOF, as well as their internal interactions and how they bind to each other. Cisplatin and MOF molecules were parametrized using the Avogadro software and x2top command in GROMACS 5.1.2 and optimized by CP2K software; the Charmm-GUI site parametrized the cell cancer membrane. Three molecular dynamics simulations were conducted in four stages at various pHs, followed by simulated umbrella sampling. The simulations analyzed the pH responsiveness, total energy, Gibbs free energy, gyration radius, radial distribution function (RDF), solvent accessible surface area, and nanoparticles' toxicity. Results demonstrated that a neutral pH level (7.4) has greater adsorption and interaction compared to acidic pH values (6.4 and 5.4) because it displays the highest total energy (-17.1 kJ/mol), the highest RDF value (6.66), and the shortest distance (0.51 nm). Furthermore, the combination of cisplatin and MOFs displayed increased penetration compared to that of their individual forms. This study highlights the suitability of MOFs as nanocarriers and identifies the optimal pH values for desirable outcomes. Thus, it provides future studies with appropriate data to conduct their experiments in assessing MOFs.

Shock wave-induced permeabilization of mammalian cells

Controlled permeabilization of mammalian cell membranes is fundamental to develop gene and cell therapies based on macromolecular cargo delivery, a process that emerged against an increasing number of health afflictions, including genetic disorders, cancer and infections. Viral vectors have been successfully used for macromolecular delivery; however, they may have unpredictable side effects and have been limited to life-threatening cases. Thus, several chemical and physical methods have been explored to introduce drugs, vaccines, and nucleic acids into cells. One of the most appealing physical methods to deliver genes into cells is shock wave-induced poration. High-speed microjets of fluid, emitted due to the collapse of microbubbles after shock wave passage, represent the most significant mechanism that contributes to cell membrane poration by this technique. Herein, progress in shock wave-induced permeabilization of mammalian cells is presented. After covering the main concepts related to molecular strategies whose applications depend on safer drug delivery methods, the physics behind shock wave phenomena is described. Insights into the use of shock waves for cell membrane permeation are discussed, along with an overview of the two major biomedical applications thereof-i.e., genetic modification and anti-cancer shock wave-assisted chemotherapy. The aim of this review is to summarize 30 years of data showing underwater shock waves as a safe, noninvasive method for macromolecular delivery into mammalian cells, encouraging the development of further research, which is still required before the introduction of this promising tool into clinical practice.

High Energy Shock Waves (HESW) Enhance Paclitaxel Cytotoxicity in MCF-7 Cells

High energy shock waves (HESW) produced by a piezoelectric generator were studied for their effect on human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) viability and sensitivity to paclitaxel. A dose-dependent impairment of cell viability was observed after HESW treatment (250-2000 shock waves, rate = 4/s, energy flux density = 0.25 mJ/mm2). Single treatment with shock waves produced no significant growth inhibition. Combined exposure to paclitaxel (ranging 0.1 nM to 20 microM) and shock waves (100, 500 and 1000 shots, respectively) resulted in a significant reduction of MCF-7 cell proliferation at day 3 after treatment in respect with cells treated with paclitaxel alone. Notably, a cell viability reduction of about 50% was obtained after combined treatment with HESW and 10 nM paclitaxel, in front of a reduction of only 40% using 10 microM paclitaxel alone. Moreover, an earlier induction as well as an enhancement of apoptotis was observed in cells subjected to combined treatment with shock waves and paclitaxel (200 nM; 20 microM). In conclusion, HESW can enhance paclitaxel cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells, thus allowing the treatment with lower doses of drug.

The combined effects of high-energy shock waves and cytostatic drugs or cytokines on human bladder cancer cells

The effects of shock waves generated by an experimental Siemens lithotripter in combination with cytostatic drugs or cytokines on several bladder cancer cell lines were examined in vitro. Proliferation after treatment was determined with the 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Dose enhancement ratios were calculated for each drug and each shock wave application mode in order to characterise the sensitising effect of shock wave pretreatment. The influence of the time between shock wave and drug treatment as well as the effects of different sequences of shock wave and drug treatment or concomitant treatment were assessed for selected combinations of cell lines and drugs. It was found that shock wave treatment could render certain cell lines more susceptible to subsequent cis-platinum, mitomycin C or actinomycin D incubation. Cell lines sensitive to tumour necrosis factor alpha or interferon alpha were further sensitised to these cytokines by shock wave pretreatment. The enhanced sensitivity to cis-platinum and actinomycin D decreased rapidly during the first hours after shock wave treatment. The antiproliferative effect was most pronounced after concomitant shock wave and drug treatment. The sensitisation to interferon alpha diminishes more slowly after shock wave exposure. From the results presented in this study it is concluded that transient shock wave-induced permeabilisation of cell membrane not only enhances drug efficiency, but also causes damage to cell organelles and alterations in cellular metabolism.

A review of the physical properties and biological effects of the high amplitude acoustic field used in extracorporeal lithotripsy

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) has now been used for more than a decade in the treatment of urinary stone disease. During this period there has been a wide range of studies on the physical properties of the high-amplitude focussed fields used in ESWL and the biological effects of exposure to such fields, including their ability to fragment hard concretions. These studies form a distinct body of knowledge whose relevance to the broader literature on biological effects from lower amplitude exposures has yet to be fully evaluated. This review attempts to present the main results of biological-effects studies in ESWL along with what is known of the physical properties of lithotripsy fields with the aim of assisting this evaluation. In general, the reported biological effects of lithotripsy fields are compatible with those that have been observed at those lower amplitudes of focussed pulsed ultrasound in which transient cavitation is the dominant mechanism of interaction. The relatively large amplitudes and low frequencies in ESWL, however, make it a more potent generator of transient cavitation than most other forms of medical ultrasound. Biological-effects studies with lithotripsy fields may, therefore, be expected to extend our understanding of the nature of transient cavitation and, in particular, its effects in mammalian tissue.

In vitro interaction of lithotripter shock waves and cytotoxic drugs

The effect of a combination of lithotripter shock waves and cytotoxic drugs was examined in vitro. L1210 cells in suspension were exposed to shock waves during incubation with cislatin, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, THP-doxorubicin, or aclacinomycin. Proliferation was determined using the 3-4,5 dimethylthiazol-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Dose enhancement ratios were calculated for each drug in order to determine the effect of the additional exposure to shock waves. In addition, partition coefficients and IC50s of the drugs were determined. It was found, that the dose enhancement ratios increased for the drugs with decreasing cytotoxicity. The effect of all five drugs was enhanced by shock waves to a higher degree at 7 min incubation as compared to 50 min incubation. The effect of cisplatin was most significantly enhanced, with a dose enhancement ratio of 6.7 at 7 min incubation. The enhancement increased with the operating voltage used for generating the shock waves, and was only present when cells were exposed to shock waves during the incubation with the drug. An increase in cellular membrane permeability is proposed as the mechanism of interaction between shock waves and drugs.