Effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields on the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

The effects of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) on the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was investigated for changes in protein and DNA concentrations as well as for the 11beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) enzyme activity. Electric fields with intensities of 32.5 kV/cm and pulse widths of 60 ns were applied to cancer cells in trains of 1, 5, and 10 pulses. Protein concentrations were determined through a Bio-Rad DC protein assay, while Hoechst 33258 was used to quantify DNA concentrations. The analyses showed that protein concentrations decreased by 18.77% and 19.04% for 1 and 10 pulses, respectively, while DNA concentrations decreased by 5.29%, 8.95%, and 18.36% for 1, 5, and 10 pulses, respectively, as compared to control groups. The 11betaHSD2 enzyme activity in LNCaP cells also decreased following exposure, thus supporting our initial hypothesis that ultrashort pulses affect intracellular structures; thus, a decrease in the enzyme activity could result in enhancing the anti-proliferative actions of glucocorticoids.