Mechanisms for steep pulse irreversible electroporation technology to kill human large cell lung cancer cells L9981.

To explore the mechanisms for steep pulse irreversible electroporation technology to kill the lung cancer cell L9981. The apoptosis, cells mitochondrial membrane potential, internal PH changes and the intra-cellular calcium ions concentration were detected after steep pulses acted on the human large cell lung cancer cell L9981. Apoptosis test results indicated that cancer cells mainly experienced necrosis and apoptosis. Along with the increase of electric parameters, the proportion of the necrotic cells increased rapidly; the detection of cells mitochondrial membrane potential indicated that membrane potential occurred depolarization. Steep pulse can cause cancer cells to produce death and apoptosis .The PH value indicated that intracellular PH level down jumped. Internal PH became more acidic and led to cell death. The detection of intra-cellular calcium ions concentration showed that the number of free calcium significantly increased, and this change had killing effects on cell death and apoptosis. Steep pulse could induce cell apoptosis.