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Cvetkoska A, Maček-Lebar A, Polajžer T, Reberšek M, Upchurch W, Iaizzo PA, Sigg DC, Miklavčič D. The Effects of Interphase and Interpulse Delays and Pulse Widths on Induced Muscle Contractions, Pain and Therapeutic Efficacy in Electroporation-Based Therapies. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:490. [PMID: 38132658 PMCID: PMC10744272 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10120490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Electroporation is used in medicine for drug and gene delivery, and as a nonthermal ablation method in tumor treatment and cardiac ablation. Electroporation involves delivering high-voltage electric pulses to target tissue; however, this can cause effects beyond the intended target tissue like nerve stimulation, muscle contractions and pain, requiring use of sedatives or anesthetics. It was previously shown that adjusting pulse parameters may mitigate some of these effects, but not how these adjustments would affect electroporation's efficacy. We investigated the effect of varying pulse parameters such as interphase and interpulse delay while keeping the duration and number of pulses constant on nerve stimulation, muscle contraction and assessing pain and electroporation efficacy, conducting experiments on human volunteers, tissue samples and cell lines in vitro. Our results show that using specific pulse parameters, particularly short high-frequency biphasic pulses with short interphase and long interpulse delays, reduces muscle contractions and pain sensations in healthy individuals. Higher stimulation thresholds were also observed in experiments on isolated swine phrenic nerves and human esophagus tissues. However, changes in the interphase and interpulse delays did not affect the cell permeability and survival, suggesting that modifying the pulse parameters could minimize adverse effects while preserving therapeutic goals in electroporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Cvetkoska
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.C.); (A.M.-L.); (T.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Alenka Maček-Lebar
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.C.); (A.M.-L.); (T.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Tamara Polajžer
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.C.); (A.M.-L.); (T.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Matej Reberšek
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.C.); (A.M.-L.); (T.P.); (M.R.)
| | - Weston Upchurch
- Visible Heart® Laboratories, Department of Surgery and the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (W.U.); (P.A.I.)
| | - Paul A. Iaizzo
- Visible Heart® Laboratories, Department of Surgery and the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (W.U.); (P.A.I.)
| | - Daniel C. Sigg
- Cardiac Ablation Solutions, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55432, USA;
| | - Damijan Miklavčič
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.C.); (A.M.-L.); (T.P.); (M.R.)
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Asadipour K, Zhou C, Yi V, Beebe SJ, Xiao S. Ultra-Low Intensity Post-Pulse Affects Cellular Responses Caused by Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1069. [PMID: 37760171 PMCID: PMC10525734 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
High-intensity nanosecond pulse electric fields (nsPEF) can preferentially induce various effects, most notably regulated cell death and tumor elimination. These effects have almost exclusively been shown to be associated with nsPEF waveforms defined by pulse duration, rise time, amplitude (electric field), and pulse number. Other factors, such as low-intensity post-pulse waveform, have been completely overlooked. In this study, we show that post-pulse waveforms can alter the cell responses produced by the primary pulse waveform and can even elicit unique cellular responses, despite the primary pulse waveform being nearly identical. We employed two commonly used pulse generator designs, namely the Blumlein line (BL) and the pulse forming line (PFL), both featuring nearly identical 100 ns pulse durations, to investigate various cellular effects. Although the primary pulse waveforms were nearly identical in electric field and frequency distribution, the post-pulses differed between the two designs. The BL's post-pulse was relatively long-lasting (~50 µs) and had an opposite polarity to the main pulse, whereas the PFL's post-pulse was much shorter (~2 µs) and had the same polarity as the main pulse. Both post-pulse amplitudes were less than 5% of the main pulse, but the different post-pulses caused distinctly different cellular responses. The thresholds for dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, loss of viability, and increase in plasma membrane PI permeability all occurred at lower pulsing numbers for the PFL than the BL, while mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation occurred at similar pulsing numbers for both pulser designs. The PFL decreased spare respiratory capacity (SRC), whereas the BL increased SRC. Only the PFL caused a biphasic effect on trans-plasma membrane electron transport (tPMET). These studies demonstrate, for the first time, that conditions resulting from low post-pulse intensity charging have a significant impact on cell responses and should be considered when comparing the results from similar pulse waveforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Asadipour
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA;
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (C.Z.); (S.J.B.)
| | - Carol Zhou
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (C.Z.); (S.J.B.)
| | - Vincent Yi
- Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA;
| | - Stephen J. Beebe
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (C.Z.); (S.J.B.)
| | - Shu Xiao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA;
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA; (C.Z.); (S.J.B.)
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Zhou H, Wang Z, Dong Y, Alhaskawi A, Tu T, Hasan Abdullah Ezzi S, Goutham Kota V, Hasan Abdulla Hasan Abdulla M, Li P, Wu B, Chen Y, Lu H. New advances in treatment of skin malignant tumors with nanosecond pulsed electric field: A literature review. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 150:108366. [PMID: 36641842 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanosecond pulsed electric field, with its unique bioelectric effect, has shown broad application potential in the field of tumor therapy, especially in malignant tumors and skin tumors. MAIN BODY In this paper, we discuss the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of nanosecond pulsed electric field on three common skin cancers, namely, malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, as well as its application to other benign skin diseases and future development and improvement directions. CONCLUSION In general, nanosecond pulsed electric field mainly exerts its ablative effect on tumors through subcellular membrane electroporation effect. It is cell type-specific, has less thermal damage, and can have synergistic effect with chemotherapy drugs, making it a very promising new method for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China
| | - Zewei Wang
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, #866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, PR China
| | - Yanzhao Dong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China
| | - Ahmad Alhaskawi
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China
| | - Tian Tu
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China
| | | | - Vishnu Goutham Kota
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, #866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, PR China
| | | | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China
| | - Bin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Ruidi Biotech Ltd. #2959 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310000, PR China
| | - Yonggang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Pulsed Power Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Ruidi Biotech Ltd. #2959 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310000, PR China
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, #79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, PR China; Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, Zhejiang University, #866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, PR China.
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Ruiz-Fernández AR, Rosemblatt M, Perez-Acle T. Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and vaccines: a novel technique for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses? Ann Med 2022; 54:1749-1756. [PMID: 35786157 PMCID: PMC9258060 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2087898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of 2020, worldwide attention has been being focussed on SARS-CoV-2, the second strain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus. Although advances in vaccine technology have been made, particularly considering the advent of mRNA vaccines, up to date, no single antigen design can ensure optimal immune response. Therefore, new technologies must be tested as to their ability to further improve vaccines. Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF) is one such method showing great promise in different biomedical and industrial fields, including the fight against COVID-19. Of note, available research shows that nsPEF directly damages the cell's DNA, so it is critical to determine if this technology could be able to fragment either viral DNA or RNA so as to be used as a novel technology to produce inactivated pathogenic agents that may, in turn, be used for the production of vaccines. Considering the available evidence, we propose that nsPEF may be used to produce inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viruses that may in turn be used to produce novel vaccines, as another tool to address 20 the current COVID-19 pandemic.Key MessagesViral inactivation by using pulsed electric fields in the nanosecond frequency.DNA fragmentation by a Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF).Opportunity to apply new technologies in vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Ruiz-Fernández
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Rosemblatt
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | - T Perez-Acle
- Computational Biology Lab, Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
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Radzevičiūtė E, Malyško-Ptašinskė V, Kulbacka J, Rembiałkowska N, Novickij J, Girkontaitė I, Novickij V. Nanosecond electrochemotherapy using bleomycin or doxorubicin: Influence of pulse amplitude, duration and burst frequency. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 148:108251. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Novickij V, Rembiałkowska N, Szlasa W, Kulbacka J. Does the shape of the electric pulse matter in electroporation? Front Oncol 2022; 12:958128. [PMID: 36185267 PMCID: PMC9518825 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.958128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electric pulses are widely used in biology, medicine, industry, and food processing. Numerous studies indicate that electroporation (EP) is a pulse-dependent process, and the electric pulse shape and duration strongly determine permeabilization efficacy. EP protocols are precisely planned in terms of the size and charge of the molecules, which will be delivered to the cell. In reversible and irreversible EP applications, rectangular or sine, polar or bipolar pulses are commonly used. The usage of pulses of the asymmetric shape is still limited to high voltage and low voltage (HV/LV) sequences in the context of gene delivery, while EP-based applications of ultra-short asymmetric pulses are just starting to emerge. This review emphasizes the importance and role of the pulse shape for membrane permeabilization by EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitalij Novickij
- Faculty of Electronics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius TECH), Vilnius, Lithuania
- *Correspondence: Vitalij Novickij, ; Julita Kulbacka,
| | - Nina Rembiałkowska
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szlasa
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Julita Kulbacka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- *Correspondence: Vitalij Novickij, ; Julita Kulbacka,
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Comparison of analysis methods for determination of dynamic tissue conductivity during microseconds-long pulsed electric fields. Biomed Signal Process Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2021.103305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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High Frequency Bipolar Electroporator with Double-Crowbar Circuit for Load-Independent Forming of Nanosecond Pulses. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12031370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In this work, a novel electroporation system (electroporator) is presented, which is capable of forming high frequency pulses in a broad range of parameters (65 ns–100 µs). The electroporator supports voltages up to 3 kV and currents up to 40 A and is based on H-bridge circuit topology. A synchronized double crowbar driving sequence is introduced to generate short nanosecond range pulses independently of the electroporator load. The resultant circuit generates pulses with repetition frequencies up to 5 MHz and supports unipolar, bipolar, and asymmetrical pulse sequences with arbitrary waveforms. The shortest pulse duration step is hardware limited to 33 ns. The electroporator was experimentally tested on the H69AR human lung cancer cell line using 20 kV/cm bipolar and unipolar 100 ns–1 μs pulses. Based on a YO-PRO-1 permeabilization assay, it was determined that the electroporator is suitable for applied research on electroporation. The system offers high flexibility in experimental design to trigger various electroporation-based phenomena.
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Four Channel 6.5 kV, 65 A, 100 ns–100 µs Generator with Advanced Control of Pulse and Burst Protocols for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112411782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pulsed electric fields in the sub-microsecond range are being increasingly used in biomedical and biotechnology applications, where the demand for high-voltage and high-frequency pulse generators with enhanced performance and pulse flexibility is pushing the limits of pulse power solid state technology. In the scope of this article, a new pulsed generator, which includes four independent MOSFET based Marx modulators, operating individually or combined, controlled from a computer user interface, is described. The generator is capable of applying different pulse shapes, from unipolar to bipolar pulses into biological loads, in symmetric and asymmetric modes, with voltages up to 6.5 kV and currents up to 65 A, in pulse widths from 100 ns to 100 µs, including short-circuit protection, current and voltage monitoring. This new scientific tool can open new research possibility due to the flexibility it provides in pulse generation, particularly in adjusting pulse width, polarity, and amplitude from pulse-to-pulse. It also permits operating in burst mode up to 5 MHz in four independent channels, for example in the application of synchronized asymmetric bipolar pulses, which is shown together with other characteristics of the generator.
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