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Effects of pulsed electric fields on DNA of human lymphocytes

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Abstract

The effects of pulsed electric fields of low frequency (50 Hz) on DNA of human lymphocytes were investigated. The influence of additional external factors, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and γ-irradiation, as well as the repair efficiency in these lymphocytes, was also evaluated. The comet assay, a very sensitive and rapid method for detecting DNA damage at the single cells level was the method used. A significant amount of damage was observed after exposure to the electric fields, compared to the controls. After 2 h incubation at 37°C, a proportion of damage was repaired. H2O2 and γ-irradiation increased the damage to lymphocytes exposed to pulsed electric fields according to the dose used, while the amount of the repair was proportional to the damage.

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Abbreviations

PHA:

phytohemagglutinin

PBS:

phosphate-buffered saline

DAPI:

4′,6-diamidine-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride

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Correspondence to S. M. Piperakis.

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Delimaris, J., Tsilimigaki, S., Messini-Nicolaki, N. et al. Effects of pulsed electric fields on DNA of human lymphocytes. Cell Biol Toxicol 22, 409–415 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-006-0105-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10565-006-0105-1

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