[The enhanced lethality of cells in suspension during simultaneous exposure to pulsed electrical and shock-wave...

We present the results of comparative experimental studies of the damaging effect of intense electrical field with a microsecond duration range, shock acoustic wave, and their combination on the ovary carcinoma cells. We found that upon a combined effect of pulse electrical and acoustic shock-wave fields of a moderate amplitude, practically all cells died. A qualitative physical model is proposed, which accounts for enhanced damage upon combined effect, on the one hand, by a decreased threshold of electric intensity of the cytoplasmic membrane breakdown at a temporal phase of pressure compression of the shock-wave pulse and, on the other hand, by a growth of cavitational embryos at a temporal phase of the action of stretching tensions of the shock-wave pulse, whose role is played by hydrophobic type pores appeared as a result of the membrane electrical breakdown. Possibilities of practical application of the proposed combined effect are discussed: in oncology for suppression of tumor growth and in biotechnology for cell disintegration and ecologically pure sterilization of liquid media.