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Modification of electrokinetic properties of nuclei in human buccal epithelial cells by electric fields
Y G Shckorbatov1, V G Shakhbazov, A O Rudenko
1V.N. Karazin National University of Kharkov, Institute of Biology, Kharkov, Ukraine. Yury.G.shckorbatov@univer.kharkov.ua
Abstract:
The influence of an alternating (50 Hz) electric field (5--110 V/cm) on the state of human buccal epithelium cells was studied by the methods of intracellular microelectrophoresis, heterochromatin staining with orcein, and indigo carmine staining for viability and membrane integrity evaluations. Electric field exposure induced an increase in electrophoretic mobility of cell nuclei, decreased numbers of heterochromatin granules near the inner membrane of cell nucleus, and induced cell membrane damage; but cell viability was conserved. Nuclear and cell membrane properties varied with electric field strength and age of the donors. The data obtained are interpreted as evidence of electric field induced activation of the functional state of nuclei.